February
A monthly newsletter from the National Climate Centre.
Current climate – January 2009
Rainfall was less than 50% of normal over much of the country in January. The exceptions were near normal rainfall in Manawatu and northern Taranaki, and 25% above normal rainfall in Gisborne and Southland.
Air temperatures were between 1.5 °C and 2.5 °C above average on the east coast of the South Island from Kaikoura to Mosgiel, and between 0.5 °C and 1.5 °C above average in Bay of Plenty, eastern North Island, inland Canterbury and Otago, and much of Southland.
Temperatures in the west of the country were near normal for January. The national average temperature of 17.6 °C was 0.6 °C above the historical average.
Soil moisture levels levels for most North Island areas apart from Taranaki were below normal by between 20 mm and 50 mm at the end of the month. In the South Island, soils were drier than normal in Tasman, northern Westland, North and South Canterbury, and South Otago.
This month
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