Seasonal climate summary for the southern hemisphere (summer 2017–18): an exceptionally warm season for Australia – a short-lived and weak La Niña
Tamika TihemaA Bureau of Meteorology, GPO Box 413, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia. Email: tamika.tihema@bom.gov.au
Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science 69(1) 351-368 https://doi.org/10.1071/ES19018
Submitted: 13 August 2019 Accepted: 27 September 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 2017–18; an account of seasonal rainfall and temperature for the Australian region is also provided. A short-lived and weak La Niña developed but decayed by the end of February 2018. Sea-surface temperatures were exceptionally warm in the Tasman Sea from late 2017 to early 2018. It was an exceptionally warm summer for Australia, and the third-warmest mean temperature on record for the nation. Summer rainfall was close to the long-term average for Australia, with above-average rainfall in west and below-average rainfall in the east.
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