Global Setting – March 2013
10 April 2013
The equatorial Pacific Ocean remains in a neutral state (neither El Niño nor La Niña). International guidance indicates that neutral conditions are very likely to continue over the next three months (April–June). In the New Zealand region higher pressures are likely to prevail over and to the south of the South Island during the season.
Sea Surface Temperature
Sea surface temperatures in late autumn are likely to remain above average around the South Island, and be close to normal around the North Island.
Differences from average global sea surface temperatures for 10th of March to 6th of April 2013. 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). SOI mean values: March SOI +1.0; January to March average +0.1.
Differences from normal March surface temperatures in the seas around New Zealand.