During the month of June 2016, air pressure was higher than normal over and to the east of New Zealand while lower than normal pressures existed to the south-west of the country. This pressure set up led to a prevalence of winds from a northerly direction.
Rainfall
Rainfall was well below normal (<50%) for much of Gisborne, southern Hawke’s Bay, and Wairarapa. Rainfall was also well below normal in central and northern Canterbury and much of Otago and eastern Southland. Pockets of above normal rainfall (120-149%) were observed in parts of the Bay of Plenty, eastern Waikato and the north of Otago. Rainfall was near normal (80-119%) elsewhere.
Temperature
June temperatures were well above average (>1.20°C) for much of the South Island except in parts of Tasman and Marlborough where temperatures were above average (+0.51°C to +1.20°C). As a whole, the country observed well above average, above average, or near average temperatures (-0.50°C to 0.49°C). No location observed below average temperatures (-1.20°C to -0.51°C) on either Island.
Sunshine
Sunshine was above normal (110-124%) in Southland, the West Coast, Otago, and Canterbury with sections of well above normal sunshine (>125%). The majority of the North Island also observed above or well above normal sunshine. Sunshine was near normal (90-109%) or below normal (75-89%) in Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, parts of Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, and northern Northland.
Soil Moisture
As of 1 July 2016, soil moisture levels were below normal for this time of year for large parts of Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, the Wairarapa as well as central and northern parts of Canterbury. Soil moisture levels for the remainder of the country were near normal for this time of year.
