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Climate Update 78 - December 2005

December

November's climate

Global setting and climate outlook

Feature article

Feature article

Adapting to climate change in eastern New Zealand

Philip and Robyn Holt have implemented a whole new system of farming since the drought years of the 1980s. About 20% of the farm has been planted in trees as they work towards their ultimate goal of ensuring their farm against floods and droughts with catchment protection, shelter, and shade.

Farmers have been taking some severe hits from recent extreme weather events, testing their resolve to continue to manage a highly vulnerable industry.

December

A monthly newsletter from the National Climate Centre.
December 2005 – Number 78
November - warm and dry for most of the month, but cool and wet in the last week in some areas.
Outlook for December to February - weaker than normal westerlies with average or above average temperatures in most areas. Wet conditions are likely in the north and east of the North Island.
In this issue

November's climate
Global setting & climate outlook
Feature article - Adapting to climate change in eastern New Zealand

Cover image
Cattle grazing in Matukituki Valley, Otago.

November's climate

New Zealand climate in November 2005

 
Rainfall (click to enlarge).

Temperature (click to enlarge).

Rainfall was less than 50% of normal throughout much of the north and west of both islands, and less than 25% of normal in north Taranaki, Kapiti, and Golden Bay. Rainfall was higher than normal in Coromandel, Gisborne, and the far southwest of the South Island.
Mean temperatures were above historical averages in Marlborough, Otago, south Westland, Fiordland, and Southland, and below average in Thames, inland Bay of Plenty, Taupo, and Hawke’s Bay.

Global setting and climate outlook

Global setting
El Niño-Southern Oscillation remains neutral

Difference from average global SST (click to enlarge).

Monthly SOI values (click to enlarge).

The tropical Pacific Ocean is likely to remain in a neutral state (no El Niño or La Niña) until autumn 2006. The pool of cold water off the South American coast has increased during November, while surface water near the date line remained warm.
The Southern Oscillation Index was weakly negative in November (-0.4), with the 3-month September to November average at +0.3.

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