Climate Update 30 - December 2001

28 March 2007 - 8:45am

Science Centres: Climate

December

Climate

River flows

Soil moisture

Three-month outlook

Checkpoint

Backgrounder

Backgrounder
Backgrounder The UV Index A standardised scale for reporting the level of UV radiation risk to the public. Higher values correspond to higher radiation intensities.

Checkpoint
Outlook and outcome – September to November 2001 Rainfall in some central regions of New Zealand was average to above average as expected. The north and east of the North Island was wetter than forecast, while some central and southern areas of the South Island were drier than anticipated. Air temperatures in most places were above average as was expected, although temperatures were higher than forecast in much of the east of the South Island. Normal to below normal river flows were correctly forecast for the east of both islands.

December
Climate Update is a summary each month of New Zealand's climate, including soil moisture and river flows. December 2001 – Number 30 November's climate: Heavy rainfall events a feature of November. November's river flows: Flows generally higher than in October. Soil moisture levels: Soil moisture levels generally up on average. Three month outlook: Generally warm summer expected, Summer air temperatures are likely to be average or above over much of the country. Checkpoint: How well are we doing with our predictions? Backgrounder: Sunburn season ahead, This summer’s ultraviolet

Climate
New Zealand Climate in November 2001 November characterised by high rainfall events November was generally wet, and characterised by some heavy rainfall events in many parts of New Zealand. The wettest days were: 6 November, up to 85 mm thoughout Northland; 13 November, up to 65 mm over the central North Island; 18 November, 200 mm in Fiordland; 22 November, 50 mm in south Auckland and western Bay of Plenty, and 50–100 mm in Wellington and the Hutt Valley.

Three-month outlook
The outlook for December 2001 to Febuary 2002 The El Niño–Southern Oscillation is in near neutral phase at present, with no major changes in this situation expected over the next three months.

River flows
New Zealand River Flows in November 2001 Flows generally higher than in October Flows were above normal in the north and west of the North Island, and the north, east, and south of the South Island. Flows were normal for much of the west coast of the South Island and normal to below normal for the east coast of the North Island. South Island hydro-lake inflows were near normal, and river flows into Lake Taupo were above normal.

Soil moisture
Soil moisture on 30 November Soil moisture levels generally up on average Soils in most regions of the North Island, and in the north, west, and south of the South Island, held generally high moisture levels at the end of November.