Science Centres: Climate

New Zealand climate in April

Rainfall (click to enlarge).

Temperature (click to enlarge).

North and central New Zealand were warmer than normal in April, while temperatures were mostly below average in inland parts of Canterbury and Otago.

Rainfall was 200% of normal in many north, central, andsouthern districts of the North Island, and in Nelson and Marlborough, and at least 150% of normal in many other North Island districts. Less than 50% of normal rainfall was recorded in the southwest of the South Island.

For more information see www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/cs/mclimsum_08_04

Soil moisture deficit Soil moisture (click to enlarge). April saw a dramatic improvement in soil moisture levels for most of the country, apart from unusually dry soil conditions remaining in coastal Canterbury and North Otago.

River flows River flows (click to enlarge). River flows were near normal in the northern North Island, and below normal in most other places.

February to April: the climate we predicted and what happened

(click to enlarge).

Rainfall

Predicted: Normal rainfall in the North Island and north of the South Island; below normal elsewhere.

Outcome: Above normal in the far north, Bay of Plenty, the north of the South Island, and mid Canterbury; near normal in most other places; lower than normal in parts of the south and southwest of the South Island.

(click to enlarge).

Air temperature

Predicted: Above average in all districts.

Outcome: Above average over much of New Zealand; near average in eastern regions and inland South Island.

(click to enlarge).

River flows

Predicted: Normal or below normal in the North Island and north of the South Island; below normal elsewhere.

Outcome: Stream and river flows were normal in Northland, and below normal in most other locations.