Soil moisture

Soil moisture

Soil moisture levels much improved

Widespread rain and decreasing evapotranspiration rates in May lifted soil moisture levels in much of the country, with particularly improved conditions in the southern and central North Island. Otago and coastal Marlborough soil profiles contained less than normal available water at the end of the month.

Soil moisture deficit in the pasture root zone at the end of May (right) compared with the deficit at the same time last year (centre) and the long term end of May average (left). The analysis is done for an average soil type where the available water capacity is taken to be 150 mm.