Seasonal climate summary for the southern hemisphere (summer 2016–17): a season of extremes despite neutral ENSO, IOD
Ben Hague A B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Bureau of Meteorology, GPO Box 1289, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.
B School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: ben.hague@bom.gov.au
Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science 69(1) 290-309 https://doi.org/10.1071/ES19005
Submitted: 4 December 2018 Accepted: 9 April 2019 Published: 11 June 2020
Journal Compilation © BoM 2019 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
This is a summary of the southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns and meteorological indices for summer 2016–17; an account of seasonal rainfall and temperature for the Australian region is also provided. Although indices for the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) represented typical neutral condition for these drivers, evidence of other climate drivers can be found in the land, ocean and atmosphere data from this time. The Southern Annular Mode appeared to have had some effect on rainfall in the east of Australia, and the Madden–Julian Oscillation active periods produced heavy rain in the tropical north. Despite neutral ENSO and IOD, extreme temperatures, in some areas highest on record, occurred in northern NSW and southern Queensland. High sea-surface temperatures caused further severe bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.
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