Global Setting – November 2010
7 December 2010
The equatorial Pacific is in a moderate to strong La Niña state, which is expected to continue to at least the autumn of 2011. During Dec-Feb, mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal over and south of New Zealand.
Differences from average global sea surface temperatures for 31st October to 27th November 2010. Map courtesy of NOAA Climate Diagnostics Centre (http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/map/images/sst/sst.anom.month.gif).
Monthly values of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), a measure of changes in atmospheric pressures across the Pacific, and the 3-month mean (black line). Estimated SOI mean values: November SOI +1.6; September to November average +2.0.
Sea surface temperatures
Sea surface temperatures are presently below normal around New Zealand, but are expected to warm to near normal during the summer.