Island Climate Update 103 - April 2009

Climate developments in March 2009

Outgoing Long-wave Radiation anomalies for March 2009. (Click for enlargement and detail)

The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) was displaced south and west of normal during March, continuing the trend from last month. A region of enhanced rainfall, partly due to intensified convection, was observed over Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia last month. Suppressed convection intensified during near the Equator during March and encompassed the region northeast of the Solomon Islands, including Western Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu.

Tropical Pacific rainfall - March 2009

Territory and station name
March 2009 rainfall
total (mm)
March 2009 percent
of average

Australia

Cairns Airport
149
33

Townsville Airport
18
8

Brisbane Airport
47
34

Sydney Airport
61
47

Cook Islands

Penrhyn
169
55

Aitutaki
59
30

Rarotonga Airport
268
158

Fiji

Rotuma Island
206
56

Udu Point
150
47

Nadi Airport
321
94

Nausori
450
118

French Polynesia

Hiva Hoa, Atuona
175
194

Bora Bora
247
179

Tahiti – Faa’a
125
179

Tuamotu, Takaroa
73
140

Gambier, Rikitea
53
169

Tubuai
212
168

Rapa