August's climate
New Zealand climate in August 2006
Rainfall (click to enlarge).
Temperature (click to enlarge).
August rainfall was well above normal in southern parts of the North Island, including Wanganui, Kapiti, Wellington, Wairarapa, and also around Christchurch. In contrast, most of the rest of the South Island was drier than normal.
Air temperatures were near average in most regions, with both warm and cool spots in Otago, and cool conditions in the west of Northland. The national average temperature of 8.8°C was 0.2°C above the 1971–2000 normal.
For more information on the climate in August, visit the climate summaries page at www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/cs/mclimsum_06_08
Soils remain wet Soil moisture (click to enlarge). Soils are at normal soil moisture levels in most places, although some parts of Otago were slightly drier than normal at the end of the month. |
Record flows High river flows in the north High August streamflows in the North Island contrasted with South Island streamflows, which were generally below normal. |
June 2006 to August 2006: the climate we predicted and what happened
(click to enlarge).
Rainfall
The North Island was drier in the north and wetter in the south and east than was predicted. Mid to north Canterbury received normal to above normal rain as predicted, but elsewhere in the South Island it was drier than expected.
(click to enlarge).
Air temperature
Air temperatures were mostly lower than expected, apart from near normal temperatures, as predicted, in parts of the east and south of the North Island, and the east and southwest of the South Island.
(click to enlarge).
River flows
North Island stream flows were normal or below normal in the north and above normal elsewhere. South Island stream flows were normal to above normal, as predicted, in Canterbury and below normal elsewhere.
The three outcome maps give the tercile rankings of the rainfall totals, mean air temperatures, and mean river flows that eventuated from June to August, in comparison with the forecast conditions.
As an approximate guide, middle tercile rainfalls typically range from 80 to 115% of the historical normal, and middle tercile temperatures range about the average by plus or minus 0.5 °C.