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Feature article

21 November 2008

Soil moisture deficit (mm)at 9am on 11/11/2008

Soil moisture levels dip on the east coast

Soils in Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and parts of Canterbury and Otago are drier than normal (at the time of publication). As shown in the accompanying figures, the modelled soil moisture deficit (red curve) at Napier Airport and Rangiora reached 50% depletion of available water (75 mm deficit) by early or mid October, which is 2-3 weeks earlier than normal. This is likely to have slowed pasture production and increased demand for irrigation earlier than is usual for spring. It also means that above normal rainfall is likely to be needed to return soil moisture to typical levels. In contrast, soil moisture levels in the Waikato appear to be near or above normal. When moisture levels are high, the risk of late spring or early summer drought is reduced.

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