Seasonal climate summary for the southern hemisphere (spring 2017): equal-fifth warmest spring on record, with rainfall mixed
Skie Tobin
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Bureau of Meteorology, GPO Box 1289, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia. Email: skie.tobin@bom.gov.au
Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science 70(1) 304-327 https://doi.org/10.1071/ES19037
Submitted: 2 October 2019 Accepted: 20 January 2020 Published: 17 September 2020
Journal Compilation © BoM 2020 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
This is a summary of the southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns and meteorological indices for spring 2017; an account of seasonal rainfall and temperature for the Australian region and the broader southern hemisphere is also provided. The tropical Pacific Ocean cooled from mid-winter, with an unusually late La Niña becoming established by the end of spring. Spring was the equal-fifth warmest on record, in terms of area-averaged national mean temperature, and was characterised by exceptional September warmth over eastern Australia, while rainfall was mixed geographically and from month-to-month, but below average overall.
Keywords: Antarctica, Australia, climate, climate drivers, ENSO, IOD, La Niña, MJO, rainfall, SAM, seasonal climate summary, seasonal summary, southern hemisphere, temperature.
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