An overview of the present climate in the tropical South Pacific Islands, with an outlook for the coming months, to assist in dissemination of climate information in the Pacific region.
Number 44 – 6 May 2004
April’s climate: High rainfall, floods and loss of life in parts of Fiji, Well above average rainfall in northern and central French Polynesia, Tuvalu and Pitcairn Island, Drier over Samoa, the Southern Cook Islands, the Austral Islands of French Polynesia and parts of New Caledonia, Warmest April on record in the Southern Cook Islands.
ENSO and sea surface temperatures (SST): The March Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) was -1.8. The equatorial Pacific continues in a neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) state, Sea Surface Temperatures anomalies (SST) are near zero in the equatorial Pacific.
Forecast validation: How well are we doing with our predictions?
Three-month outlook: Above average rainfall is forecast for the Solomon Islands, Below average rainfall is expected in the Marquesas Islands.
Feature article: Fiji’s April Weather Bombs.
Sources of South Pacific rainfall data.
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