August's climate
New Zealand climate in August
August was windy at times with frequent disturbed southwesterlies, especially to the east, resulting in low rainfall in sheltered northern and eastern South Island regions, and normal or above normal rainfall in several other regions.
Temperatures were above normal over much of the North Island and near average over much of the South Island. The national average temperature of 9.1 ºC was 0.4 ºC above normal. For more information see www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/cs/mclimsum_07_08
Soil moisture deficitSoils in Marlborough and North Canterbury, on Banks Peninsula, and in inland parts of Otago were below normal at the end of August. |
River flowsNorth Island stream flows were above normal in the north and west and below normal in the east. South Island stream flows were below normal in Marlborough and North Canterbury and mainly normal elsewhere. |
June to August: the climate we predicted and what happened
Rainfall
Predicted: Normal or above normal in the north and east of the North Island, normal or below normal in the east of the South Island, and normal elsewhere.
Outcome: Above normal in the north and east of the North Island, and southeast of the South Island. Dry areas in Wellington and from the northeast to the southwest of the South Island. Normal elsewhere.
Air temperature
Predicted: Above average in all regions, except for average or above average in the east of the South Island. Cold outbreaks typical of winter from time to time.
Outcome: Above average over most of the North Island, average in central New Zealand, and below average in the south.
River flows
Predicted: Stream flows were expected to be below normal in the east of the South Island and in the normal range elsewhere.
Outcome: Stream flows were below normal in East Cape, Marlborough, and the South Island east coast, and mainly normal elsewhere.