Current climate: September 2016
During September 2016, mean sea-level pressures were higher than normal over and to the south of New Zealand, and near normal to the north of the country. This pressure pattern resulted in a prevalence of winds from an easterly direction.
Rainfall
September rainfall was generally above (120-149%) or well above normal (> 149%) for much of the North Island, particularly in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington, but below normal (50-79%) or well below normal (< 50%) for much of the South Island, particularly in Otago and Southland. An exception for the North Island was in the Manawatu Region where rainfall was below normal.
Temperature
September temperatures were above (+0.51°C to +1.20°C) or well above average (< -1.20°C) throughout most of New Zealand. Eastern coastal margins of both islands, the north of the South Island and western Northland and Auckland recorded near average temperatures (-0.50 to 0.50°C).
Sunshine
September sunshine was below normal (75-89%) or well below normal (< 75%) for most of the North Island, whereas sunshine was near normal (90-110%) for most of the South Island. Well above normal (> 125%) sunshine was observed in some central and western areas of the South Island.
Soil Moisture
At the end of September 2016, soil moisture levels were much lower than normal for the time of year across middle and northern Canterbury as well as coastal Wairarapa, and slightly lower than normal for southern Canterbury, north Otago and parts of Southland. Soil moisture levels were above normal for the time of year for eastern Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, and near normal for the remainder of the country.