Current climate: June 2017

Overall, mean sea level air pressures were higher than normal over and to the east, west, and south New Zealand during June. This resulted in more easterlies than usual over the North Island and more westerlies than usual over the South Island.

Rainfall

Rainfall was well below normal (<50%) for many stations in the North Island south of Auckland city, particularly in the central and western parts of the Island. Rainfall was also well below normal for some parts of the northern and central South Island, and below normal rainfall (50-79%) was observed in the southern and western South Island. Rainfall was near normal (80-119%) in Hawke’s Bay and near normal or above normal (120-149%) in Northland.

Temperature

June temperatures were near average for most of the country (-0.50°C to +0.50°C). Pockets of above average temperatures (0.51°C to 1.20°C) occurred in the Bay of Plenty, West Coast, and inland Otago. Below average temperatures (-0.51°C to -1.20°C) were observed in parts of the Wellington Region and the central North Island, and well below average temperatures (< -1.20°C) were observed in isolated locations in the eastern South Island.

Sunshine

Sunshine was well above normal (> 125%) in Auckland, Waikato, Kapiti Coast, Taranaki, and parts of Southland. Above normal sunshine (110-125%) was recorded in Marlborough, Nelson and West Coast. Sunshine was typically near normal (90-109%) for the remainder of the country, although some eastern parts of the South Island recorded below normal sunshine (75-89%).

Soil Moisture

As at 1 July 2017, soil moisture levels were below normal for the time of year for large parts of Southland and inland Otago. Soil moisture levels were above normal for eastern parts of the South Island. Near normal soil moisture levels were observed for the entire North Island.