Southern hemisphere circulation patterns and anomalies for winter (June - August) 1997 are reviewed, with emphasis given to the Pacific Basin climate indicators, and Australian rainfall and temperature patterns. In autumn, an El Niño event began to develop. During winter, this El Niño event intensified, as indicated by sea-surface temperature patterns and negative values of the Southern Oscillation Index. The subtropical ridge in the Australian region was located much further south than is normal for this time of the year, resulting in dry conditions along most of the Australian southern coastline.
R. J. B. Fawcett (Mon,) studied this question.