The tropical circulation in the Australian/Asian region May to October 1989

The tropical circulation from 70°E to the dateline is examined for the months May to October 1989. A positive phase of the Southern Oscillation, which developed during 1988, continued to dissipate during this period, though some anomalies typical of a positive phase persisted. The southwest monsoon in the northern hemisphere was slightly underdeveloped and withdrew early from the Indian subcontinent. Monsoonal rainfall was below average in a large part of the south Asian land mass. Eastern Australia experienced heavy rainfall early in the season, while drought conditions became evident later in some areas. The number of tropical cyclones was above average.