Monthly climate

Enhanced convection south of the Solomon Islands across to Fiji and from the Tokelaus to Pitcairn Island

Below average rainfall in the Southern Cooks and Society Islands

A large area of enhanced convection with areas of above average rainfall affected the region south of the Solomon Islands across Vanuatu to the north of Fiji, as the SPCZ continued to be displaced south of its mean position in that region. However, the SPCZ was further north than usual over much of the region east of the date line, with another band of enhanced convection and areas of above average rainfall, extending from the east of the Tokelaus across the Northern Cook Islands through the Tuamotu Islands to Pitcairn Island. Rainfall was at least 125% of average at many locations within these convective regions, a few locations recording more than 200% of average. Rainfall totaling more than 300 mm was measured in the 24 hours to 6am 9 May at Bauerfield, Vanuatu.

An extensive region of divergence and sunny conditions extended from Western Kiribati east to the region north of the Marquesas Island. Sunny conditions with rainfall less than 75% of average occurred in the Southern Cooks Islands and over the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Low rainfall (35-75% of average) continued on the Queensland coast of Australia and the western Coral Sea.

Unusually high mean May air temperatures (1.5°C or more above average), associated with very warm sea surface temperatures persisted in parts of Fiji. However, mean air temperatures were 0.5°C or more below average in parts of New Caledonia.

A weak tropical cyclone ‘Upia’, affected the sea area between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands from 25 to 28 May with maximum sustained wind speeds of 65 km/h. This brings the total to six tropical cyclones for the 2001/02 season overall.

Climate extremes in may 2002