Seasonal climate summary southern hemisphere (spring 2015): El Niño nears its peak

Abstract

Southern hemisphere circulation patterns and associated anomalies for the austral spring 2015 are reviewed, with an emphasis on Pacific climate indicators and Australian rainfall and temperature patterns. A strong El Niño persisted in the tropical Pacific Ocean with sea-surface temperature anomalies in excess of +2°C in central and eastern parts, strongly negative outgoing longwave radiation near the Date Line, and the Southern Oscillation Index showing large negative departures. The positive Indian Ocean Dipole that had established in winter dissipated in late November, but was particularly influential on Australia's climate during the months of September and October. Australia's spring rainfall was below average in the first two months, but improved later in the season: the northern half of Western Australia recorded above average November rainfall. Nevertheless, area-averaged rainfall in spring was below average for the country as a whole. For Australia, October was the warmest on record and had the highest mean temperature anomaly on record for any month since 1910. Spring temperatures were above average and Australia recorded its second-warmest spring on record, behind the record set in the previous year.