Seasonal climate summary for the southern hemisphere (spring 2018): positive Indian Ocean Dipole and Australia's driest September on record

Abstract

This is a summary of the southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns and meteorological indices for spring 2018; an account of seasonal rainfall and temperature for the Australian region and broader southern hemisphere is also provided. A positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole developed during the season, and the central and eastern equatorial Pacific were warmer than average without reaching El Niño thresholds. It was Australia's driest September on record, before rainfall of closer to average in October and November. It was warmer than average, especially in northern Australia, with coastal Queensland affected by extreme heat and wildfires in November. It was one of the three warmest springs on record for the southern hemisphere as a whole, and was notably dry in southern and eastern Africa.