Post by Admin on Jan 12, 2016 4:51:39 GMT 12
El Nino prompts lower rainfall across NZ
The El Nino weather pattern has prompted lower rainfall across many parts of New Zealand as it has intensified into one of the strongest phenomenons since 1950.
Annual rainfall was below normal (50-79 per cent of the annual average) in Northland, Tasman, Nelson and Canterbury as well as parts of eastern Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Wellington - a pattern aided by El Nino, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research says.
It also contributed to the driest year on record for Kaitaia and Kerikeri.
The lack of rainfall is also impacting the soil moisture levels, NIWA said in their annual climate summary released on Monday.
"With the intensification of El Nino, soil moisture levels around the country began to decrease again in October," the report said.
"As of 1 January 2016, soil moisture levels were below normal for the time of year for the entire country; the exceptions were the Auckland region and district of Thames-Coromandel."
But the effects from the weather pattern could be beginning to fade.
"We're expecting El Nino to weaken for the rest of the summer and by the end of the second quarter to return to more neutral conditions," said Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino.
Overall, 2015 was the 27th-warmest year since 1909 with temperatures near average across most of the country.
www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/el-nino-prompts-lower-rainfall-across-nz/ar-CCohdC?ocid=spartandhp
The El Nino weather pattern has prompted lower rainfall across many parts of New Zealand as it has intensified into one of the strongest phenomenons since 1950.
Annual rainfall was below normal (50-79 per cent of the annual average) in Northland, Tasman, Nelson and Canterbury as well as parts of eastern Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Wellington - a pattern aided by El Nino, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research says.
It also contributed to the driest year on record for Kaitaia and Kerikeri.
The lack of rainfall is also impacting the soil moisture levels, NIWA said in their annual climate summary released on Monday.
"With the intensification of El Nino, soil moisture levels around the country began to decrease again in October," the report said.
"As of 1 January 2016, soil moisture levels were below normal for the time of year for the entire country; the exceptions were the Auckland region and district of Thames-Coromandel."
But the effects from the weather pattern could be beginning to fade.
"We're expecting El Nino to weaken for the rest of the summer and by the end of the second quarter to return to more neutral conditions," said Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino.
Overall, 2015 was the 27th-warmest year since 1909 with temperatures near average across most of the country.
www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/el-nino-prompts-lower-rainfall-across-nz/ar-CCohdC?ocid=spartandhp