Climate
New Zealand climate in July 2005
The New Zealand average air temperature for July was 9.1 °C, which was about a degree higher than usual in the North Island, and up to two degrees above normal in parts of the South Island. The national temperature was the third highest since records began in the mid 1860s, after 9.6 °C in July 1998 and 9.3 °C in July 2000. About half the typical number of July frosts were recorded in many areas.
Rainfall was well below normal in southern Wairarapa, and in much of south Canterbury and Otago, but above normal in the far north.
For more information on the climate in July, visit the climate summaries page at www.niwa.co.nz/ncc/cs/mclimsum_05_07
Global setting and climate outlook
El Niño-Oscillation remains neutral
The tropical Pacific is currently in a neutral state (no El Niño or La Niña). Conditions are likely to stay in the neutral range for the rest of the year. Equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures (SST) are above average, as they have been for most of 2005.
The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) has been near zero during June and July, with the 3-month May to July mean at –0.4.