Climate Update 40 - October 2002

28 March 2007 - 11:16am

Science Centres: Climate

October

Climate

River flows

Soil moisture

Three-month outlook

Checkpoint

Backgrounder

Backgrounder
Backgrounder 2002 rainfall to date Most of New Zealand has received near normal rainfall. Parts of Waikato, Bay of Plenty, south Wairarapa, and Marlborough have been drier than average. Parts of Manawatu, Westland, Southland, and Otago have been wetter than average. Total rainfalls for 1 January to 30 September 2002. Update on the SOI The mean Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) for September was -0.9, with the three month average now at -1.2. The present moderate El Niño is expected to be weaker than the 1997-98 event.

Checkpoint
Outlook and outcome – July to September 2002 Rainfall was generally as expected over all the North Island as well as western, southern, and eastern South Island regions. In northern South Island regions rainfall was lower than predicted. Air temperatures were much as predicted for all districts except the south of the South Island, which was warmer than predicted. River flows were lower than predicted in northern and eastern South Island regions, and in northern North Island regions. Flows in East Cape and the central plateau were higher than predicted.

Climate
New Zealand Climate Warm in the east Daytime maximum temperatures were between 2.0 and 3.0 °C above normal in many eastern areas from Hawke’s Bay to Otago. The mean maximum temperature at Napier was 19.7 °C, which is the highest recorded since records began in 1870. Christchurch Botanical Garden reached 18.1°C, and was the highest since 1864. Records for September were also set at Kaikoura, Timaru, and Dunedin. Dry in the east and wet in the west Rainfall from Marlborough to north Canterbury was below average for the third consecutive month.

October
Climate Update is a summary each month of New Zealand's climate, including soil moisture and river flows. October 2002 – Number 40 September’s climate: Mild; dry in the east and wet in the west; windy. September’s river flows: September streamflows varied. Soil moisture levels: Conditions in the North Island were near normal at the end of September, the area of soil moisture deficit in eastern and northern South Island regions has shrunk slightly. Three month outlook: Warmer than normal in the North Island and the east of the South Island. Checkpoint: How well are we doin

Three-month outlook
The outlook for October to December 2002 El Niño conditions are expected to last through summer 2002-03, but it is likely to be a much weaker event than that of 1997-98. Stronger than normal westerly winds are predicted during late spring. Over most of the country, temperatures are expected to be average to above average. However, above average temperatures are likely in the eastern North Island, and below average temperatures are possible in the western South Island. Near normal rainfall is expected for the North Island, except for the east where falls are expected to be below normal.

River flows
New Zealand River Flows September streamflows varied September flows were below normal for the north and east of the North Island and the east of the South Island. They were above average in Taranaki and the north, west, and south of the South Island.

Soil moisture
Soil moisture on 30 September Conditions in the North Island were near normal at the end of September, with most areas at field capacity. The area of soil moisture deficit in eastern and northern South Island regions has shrunk slightly, but Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago are still drier than normal. Western and southern South Island regions are near normal. Soil moisture deficit in the pasture root zone at the end of September (right) compared with the deficit at the same time last year (centre) and the long term end of September average (left).