Retrospective - October to December Outlook
The climate we predicted and what actually happened.
Predicted rainfall: Rainfall, soil moisture levels, and stream flows for October-December are projected to be in the normal range for all regions.
Outcome: Below normal rainfall in Northland, Bay of Plenty, parts of South Canterbury, Westland, most of Otago and Northern Southland. Above normal rainfall for southern Manawatu and coastal Hawkes Bay. Normal elsewhere.
Predicted air temperature: Seasonal air temperatures are likely to be in the average range for the North Island, and in the average or below average ranges for the South Island. Sea surface temperatures near New Zealand are expected to continue below average through October-December.
Outcome: Below average temperatures for the majority of New Zealand apart from parts of Northland, the east coast of Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, the Tasman region, Nelson, the Malborough Sounds, South Canterbury and northern Otago.