In this Climate Update, highlights include:

· Between 9 and 11 named Tropical Cyclones were forecast for the 2012 / 2013 South Pacific tropical cyclone season. 3 named Tropical Cyclones have occurred in the South Pacific so far.

· 11 Tropical Depressions have formed in the South Pacific since the beginning of the Tropical Cyclone Season.

· In the South Pacific, one Tropical Depression increased in intensity to Category 3 (Tropical Cyclone Garry) and two to Category 4 (Tropical Cyclone Evan and Freda).

· The North Pacific has experienced one Category 5 (Tropical Cyclone Bopha) which passed over southern Palau.

· In late February and early March more disturbed weather is expected when the Madden Julian Oscillation wave passes through the South Pacific.

· El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is expected to remain in neutral range.