Soil moisture
28 February 2007
Soil moisture
Severe soil moisture deficits along the east coast of the South Island, and in Nelson and parts of Otago, remained through much of February. North Island soils were dry for much of the month. The extent of the dry conditions across the country was unusual.
The dry surface conditions resulted in total fire bans in Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Bay of Plenty, with restrictions applied in most other areas of New Zealand.
Rain late in the month brought some relief to northern and eastern areas, and to western Taranaki.