Soil moisture

Low soil moisture in Northland

Soil moisture deficits increased in much of Northland during April. At the end of the month, moisture levels were lower than normal also in parts of western Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Nelson, central Marlborough, and the Mackenzie District. Moisture levels were higher than normal in Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and Southland.

 

Soil moisture deficit in the pasture root zone at the end of April (right) compared with the deficit at the same time last year (centre) and the long-term end of April average (left). The analysis is done for an average soil type where the available water capacity is taken to be 150 mm.