Global Setting – October 2010
4 November 2010
The equatorial Pacific is in a moderate to strong La Niña state, which is expected to continue to at least the autumn of 2011. During Nov-Jan, mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal over and south of New Zealand.
Differences from average global sea surface temperatures for 3rd October to 30th October 2010. Map courtesy of NOAA Climate Diagnostics Centre (http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/map/images/sst/sst.anom.month.gif).
Monthly values of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), a measure of changes in atmospheric pressures across the Pacific, and the 3-month mean (black line). Estimated SOI mean values: September SOI +1.8; August to October average +2.1.
Sea surface temperatures
Sea surface temperatures are presently near normal around New Zealand, but are expected to become warmer than normal around the North Island as the season progresses.