Feature article
2007–08 summer follows a dry year
The year 2007 was very dry across much of New Zealand. Map 1 shows lowest decile (once in 10 year) rainfalls in 2007 for large areas of the country. The lowest rainfalls for the period 1972–2007 (36 years) were recorded at a number of locations including Masterton, East Taratahi, New Plymouth Airport, Stratford, Palmerston North Airport, Cape Campbell, Omarama, Hokitika, and Okarito.
Dry conditions have continued into the first three months of 2008, particularly in Waikato, while March was unusually dry in Canterbury (see the rainfall map). Map 2, which ranks November 2007–February 2008 rainfalls against data since 1972, indicates that large parts of Waikato recorded the lowest rainfall in this 36 year period. Ruakura climate station has recorded below normal rainfall for each of the past seven months.
For more information on the climate of 2007, see http://www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/cs/annual/aclimsum_07
Note: The data shown right contain estimates of missing values, and some districts are not represented well bythe available data. The maps should be used as indicative only.