Science Centres: Climate

The climate we predicted and what actually happened

Predicted rainfall: Rainfall totals are likely to be in the normal or below normal range in the north and east of the North Island and in Marlborough, normal or above normal in the western South Island, and in the normal range in other regions.

Outcome: Below normal rainfall for the North Island and the north and east of the South Island. Above normal rainfall for south west South Island. Normal elsewhere.

Predicted air temperature: Temperatures are likely to be near average or below average in all regions, over the three months of February to April as a whole. There will still be variability, with some warm spells at times, especially in eastern regions in north-westerly wind conditions.

Outcome: Above average temperatures for the majority of the South Island apart from normal temperatures along parts of the west coast and Stewart Island. Above average temperatures for parts of Northland, the Coromandel Peninsular, Bay of Plenty, east Waikato, Gisborne, Taranaki, Manawatu, the Tararua district and south west Wellington region.  Normal temperatures elsewhere.