Open AccessSeasonal climate summary for the southern hemisphere (summer 2016–17): a season of extremes despite neutral ENSO, IOD
Author(s) -
Ben Hague
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of southern hemisphere earth systems science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2206-5865
DOI - 10.1071/es19005
Subject(s) - climatology , indian ocean dipole , el niño southern oscillation , southern hemisphere , northern hemisphere , environmental science , southern oscillation , sea surface temperature , multivariate enso index , antarctic oscillation , oceanography , geography , atmospheric sciences , geology
This is a summary of the southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns and meteorological indices for summer 2016–17; an account of seasonal rainfall and temperature for the Australian region is also provided. Although indices for the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) represented typical neutral condition for these drivers, evidence of other climate drivers can be found in the land, ocean and atmosphere data from this time. The Southern Annular Mode appeared to have had some effect on rainfall in the east of Australia, and the Madden–Julian Oscillation active periods produced heavy rain in the tropical north. Despite neutral ENSO and IOD, extreme temperatures, in some areas highest on record, occurred in northern NSW and southern Queensland. High sea-surface temperatures caused further severe bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.