New Zealand Climate Update 142 – April 2011

Overall in March 2011, anticyclones (‘highs’) dominated to the east of New Zealand, bringing more northeasterly winds than normal to the country. The first week of the month was unsettled, as were the periods March 21/22 and 26/27. This resulted in a very wet March across the North Island, as well as for the Marlborough Sounds, coastal Southland, and most of Otago. But autumnal anticyclones brought dry, settled weather to many areas for the remainder of the month. Ex-tropical cyclone Bune passed east of East Cape at the end of the month.

During April-June, mean sea level pressures are likely to be below normal to the north of New Zealand and above normal to the east and south of the country, with weaker westerlies across New Zealand. Temperatures are likely to be average or above average in the east of the South Island, and above average in all other regions. Seasonal rainfall is likely to be normal or above normal in the north and east of the North Island, normal or below normal in the east of the South Island, and near normal elsewhere.