Monthly climate

Climate developments in March 2002
Active convection over equatorial waters about and west of the date line
High rainfall in parts of New Caledonia and southern French Polynesia
Low rainfall from Tuvalu to northern French Polynesia
An extensive area of enhanced convection occurred over equatorial waters about and west of the date line, from Papua-New Guinea to Western Kiribati, with another convective band associated with a southward displacement of the SPCZ extending from the northern Coral Sea southeast to affect Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Climate developments in March 2002

Active convection over equatorial waters about and west of the date line

High rainfall in parts of New Caledonia and southern French Polynesia

Low rainfall from Tuvalu to northern French Polynesia

An extensive area of enhanced convection occurred over equatorial waters about and west of the date line, from Papua-New Guinea to Western Kiribati, with another convective band associated with a southward displacement of the SPCZ extending from the northern Coral Sea southeast to affect Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The SPCZ was situated near its average position about and east of the date line, but was more active than usual over southern French Polynesia (where wet conditions continued). Rainfall was at least 125% of average at many locations within these convective regions, but more than 200% of average in parts of New Caledonia and southern French Polynesia, some sites recording more than 400 mm. Rainfall totalling more than 100 mm was measured in many parts of New Caledonia during the passage of tropical cyclone ‘Des’ to the southwest from 5 through 7 March. Aoupinié recorded 275 mm on 6 March and 390 mm in two days. Some flooding occurred although not major. Further high rainfall (at least 100 mm) also occurred in northern and eastern parts of New Caledonia from 14-15 and 22-24 March.

High March rainfall was recorded at:

Country Name Rainfall, mm % of average Comments

New Caledonia

Ile Art, Belep

612

283

Highest, records began in 1962

New Caledonia

Ouanaham

492

209

Very high

New Zealand

Raoul Island

306

208

Very high

French Polynesia

Tubuai

574

253

Highest, records began in 1953

Low March rainfall was recorded at:

Country Name Rainfall, mm % of average Comments

Fiji

Matei Airfield

44

4

Lowest, records began in 1957

Sunny conditions, with less than 75% of average rainfall, prevailed over northern Fiji, much of Tuvalu, Tokelau and many islands in northern French Polynesia. Below normal rainfall (less than 50% of average) continued on the Queensland coast of Australia, extending into the western Coral Sea. Willis Island, off the Queensland coast, has now recorded 8 consecutive months with less than 75% of average rainfall.

High mean March air temperatures (1.0°C or more above average), associated with warmer than average sea surface temperatures, were measured in Fiji and northern and central French Polynesia. Air temperatures were near average in New Caledonia.

Unusually high mean March air temperatures were recorded at:

Country Name Mean air temperature, °C Departure from average Comments

Fiji

Rotuma

28.6

+1.5

Highest, records began in 1948

Fiji

Nabouwalu

28.5

+1.9

Highest, records began in 1956

Fiji

Ono-I-lau

27.6

+1.7

Extremely high

French Polynesia

Bora Bora

29.5

+1.6

Highest, records began in 1976

French Polynesia

Rikitea

26.5

+0.8

Highest, records began in 1981

Extreme March air temperatures were recorded at:

Country Name °C Comments

French Polynesia

Hao

Extreme daily maximum

32.9

Highest, records began in 1965

Fiji

Viwa

Highest overnight minimum

28.3

Highest, records began in 1980

Outgoing Long-wave Radiation and Rainfall Anomalies for March 2002 Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) anomalies, in Wm-2 are 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 (blue) lower the OLR and typically mean higher rainfalls. The position of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), as identified from total rainfall, is indicated by the green line. The average position of the SPCZ is identified by the dashed green line. OLR data source: NOAA-CIRES Climate Diagnostics Center.