Global Setting – November 2011
5 December 2011
A weak to moderate La Niña is in place in the tropical Pacific and should persist into early 2012. For December-February, mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal across the South Island and southern North Island, but below average to the north of New Zealand.
Sea Surface Temperatures
Sea surface temperatures are likely to remain above average to the northeast of the North Island during summer, but near average elsewhere about the New Zealand region.
Differences from average global sea surface temperatures for 30th October 2011 to 26th November 2011. 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 +1.3; September to November average +1.0.
Differences from normal November surface temperatures in the seas around New Zealand.