Scientists counting down to MethaneSAT satellite launch
NIWA scientists leading New Zealand’s MethaneSAT agricultural emissions science programme are gearing up for the launch of its satellite.
The equatorial Pacific Ocean remains in a neutral state (neither El Niño nor La Niña). International guidance indicates that neutral conditions are very likely to continue over the next three months (April -June). Higher pressures are likely to prevail over and to the south of the South Island during the season.
Temperatures for late autumn (April –-June) are likely to be above average across the North Island, and are very likely to be above average across the South Island. Sea surface temperatures in late autumn are predicted to remain above average around the South Island, and be close to normal around the North Island.
Rainfall for the April -June period as a whole is forecast to be in the near normal range for all regions. Soil moisture levels are likely to be below normal for the north of the North Island for late autumn, and normal or below normal for the remainder of the country.
River flows are tipped to be below normal for the North Island and the north of the South Island, and normal to below normal elsewhere. Because of the existing soil moisture deficits across the North Island and in the eastern South Island, soil moisture levels and river flows are expected to take some time to recover in these areas.
For this tropical cyclone season (November - April), the risk of an ex-tropical cyclone approaching New Zealand remains near normal. On average, one ex-tropical cyclone nears New Zealand during the season.
