A synoptic overview is presented of the tropical circulation between 70°E and the dateline during the southern hemisphere summer months of November 1986 to April 1987.* Analyses of upper and lower tropospheric flows, sea surface temperatures, and cyclone tracks during the period are discussed, together with rainfall data over the Australian region. In the Darwin Regional Meteorological Centre area of responsibility, the weaker than normal monsoon circulation and below average northern Australian rainfall is linked to an El Niño warm event and negative values of the Southern Oscillation Index throughout the period.
Dixon et al. (Tue,) studied this question.