Seasonal climate summary Southern Hemisphere (winter 2000): a near-neutral ENSO phase in the Pacific

Southern hemisphere circulation patterns and anomalies for winter 2000 (June - August) are reviewed, with emphasis given to the tropical Pacific and the Australian region. The declining strength of ENSO indicators observed during autumn 2000, continued into winter with most indices in the neutral range. A strong three-wave pattern dominated the middle to high latitude circulation around the hemisphere, with higher than average atmospheric pressure observed over most of Australia. Consistent with this were below average rainfall totals and minimum temperatures, and above normal maximum temperatures.