Current Climate - February 2011

Weather conditions were generally settled over the North Island during February 2011, with more northwest winds than usual over the South Island. It was an extremely dry February for parts of Northland and Auckland, the Central Plateau, parts of southern Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa, and parts of Marlborough, with rainfalls less than 20 percent of February normal in these regions. It was the driest February in Dannevirke since records began there in 1951.

Rainfall

Rainfall was well below normal (less than 50 percent of February normal) across much of the North Island, as well as in Nelson.  In contrast, it was a record wet month for central Otago, with more than double (200 percent) normal February rainfall experienced.  Notably, much of this rain fell in a single extreme event on February 6th, along with record-breaking heat wave conditions.  Elsewhere over the southern half of the South Island, rainfall was also above normal (between 120 and 150 percent of February normal). At the end of February, significant soil moisture deficit (deficit more than 110 mm) was evident in southern Taranaki, Manawatu, Kapiti coast, Wellington, Wairarapa, Nelson, Marlborough and north Canterbury.

Air temperature

Monthly mean temperatures were well above average (more than 1.2°C above average) across the North Island and in parts of Nelson and Marlborough. In contrast, monthly mean temperatures were close to February average (within 0.5°C of average) for the remainder of the South Island.  The first half of February was scorching warm, with record-breaking heat experienced between 2 and 7 February at numerous locations over the entire length of the country – but cooler conditions prevailed in the second half of the month.  Timaru recorded 41.3°C on the 6th, a new February and also all-time temperature record there since records began in 1885.  The New Zealand national average temperature was 17.9°C (0.7°C above the 1971–2000 February average).  

Sunshine

February sunshine totals were above normal (between 110 and 125 percent of February normal) in Northland and over the northern half of the South Island.  In contrast, below normal sunshine totals (between 75 and 90 percent of February normal) were experienced over the southern half of the South Island. Elsewhere, sunshine totals in February were close to normal (within 10 percent of normal). 

See our February 2011 climate summary

click here to subscribe to the Climate Update e-mail list.