Seasonal climate summary southern hemisphere (summer 2001/02): a continuation of near-normal conditions in the tropical Pacific

Southern hemisphere circulation patterns and associated anomalies for the austral summer (December to February) 2001/02 are reviewed, with emphasis given to the Pacific Basin climate indicators and Australian rainfall and temperature patterns. After three successive positive phases (from spring 2000 to autumn 2001) of the Southern Oscillation, near neutral conditions persisted through the remainder of 2001, and the summer of 2001/02. Summer rainfall was above to very much above average through most of the Northern Territory, eastern Western Australia and northwestern South Australia. Below to well below average rainfall was recorded in parts of the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions of Western Australia and on the central east coast border region extending west and then south to the tri-state border of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. For the rest of the country, summer rainfall was near average. Summer was cooler than average across most of the continent with respect to both maximum and minimum temperatures, particularly near the tri-state border of South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia. Above average temperatures were recorded along the Queensland coastal regions.