Monthly climate

Enhanced convection over Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
Below average rainfall from Fiji to the Southern Cook Islands
In June, the SPCZ extended east from the Solomon Islands toward Tuvalu, being displaced north of its mean position in that region. However, it was virtually non- existent further east in the Southwest Pacific.
A large area of enhanced convection with areas of above average rainfall affected the region from the Solomon Islands west to Papua-New Guinea. In the north, the ITCZ was further south than usual, enhancing rainfall and cloudiness over parts of Kiribati.

28 February 2007

Enhanced convection over Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

Below average rainfall from Fiji to the Southern Cook Islands

In June, the SPCZ extended east from the Solomon Islands toward Tuvalu, being displaced north of its mean position in that region. However, it was virtually non- existent further east in the Southwest Pacific.

A large area of enhanced convection with areas of above average rainfall affected the region from the Solomon Islands west to Papua-New Guinea. In the north, the ITCZ was further south than usual, enhancing rainfall and cloudiness over parts of Kiribati. Rainfall was at least 125% of average at many locations within these convective regions, some locations recording more than 200% of average.

Rainfall was extremely high at Hereheretue in Tuamotu, French Polynesia, due to unsettled conditions and almost 300 mm over 20-22 June. Rainfall was also very high at Nacocolevu in Fiji, due to record high 1-day rainfall totalling 181mm on 2 June.

An extensive region of divergence, with sunny conditions, extended from Fiji east to the Southern Cook Islands, including Tonga, Samoa and Niue, with totals between 20 and 60 mm and less than 50% of average rainfall in many areas. Rainfall was less than 75 of average over much of New Caledonia,Vanuatu and the Northern Cook Islands.

Below average rainfall continued in some areas on the northern Queensland coast of Australia, extending into the western Coral Sea. Willis Island has now recorded 11 consecutive months with less than 75% of average rainfall.

Unusually high mean May air temperatures (1.5°C or more above average), associated with very warm sea surface temperatures persisted in parts of Fiji.

Climate extremes in June 2002

Country Name Rainfall, mm % of average Comments
Kiribati Arorae 375 synop 341 Highest, records began in 1950
Fiji Nacocolevu 203 274 Very high
French Polynesia Tuamotu, Hereheretue 332 322 Highest, records began in 1962
Country Name Rainfall, mm % of average Comments
Australia Cairns Airport 4 8 Extremely low
Niue Hanan Airport 19 22 Lowest, records began in 1975
Vanuatu Aneityum 49 synop? 32 Lowest, records began in 1958
Country Name Mean air temperature, °C Departure from average Comments
Fiji Laucala Bay 26.0 +2.0 Extremely high
Fiji Nabouwalu 26.2 +1.6 Extremely high
Country Name Temperature, °C Date of occurrence Comments
Fiji Lautoka 33.2 17 June Highest, records began in 1930
Fiji Suva 32.3 1 June Highest, records began in 1942
Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) anomalies, in Wm-2 , for June 2002 represented by shaded areas, and rainfall percentage of average, shown by numbers. High radiation levels (yellow) are typically associated with clearer skies and lower rainfall, while cloudy conditions lower the OLR (blue) and typically mean higher rainfalls. The June 2002 position of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), as identified from total rainfall, is indicated by the solid green line. The average climatological position of the SPCZ is identified by the dashed green line. Data source: NOAA-CIRES Climate Diagnostics Center. Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), as identified from total rainfall, is indicated by the solid blue line.

Island Climate Update 22 - July 2002