Current Climate - February 2012
February was characterised by highs to the southeast of New Zealand, and more lows than normal over the north Tasman Sea. This produced more easterly winds than usual over the country. It was an extremely cloudy month for much of the country, due to both the moist easterly wind flows, and cooler than usual seas around New Zealand. Well below average temperatures were observed in eastern regions of both Islands, because of the onshore easterly winds, but it was a warmer than usual month for the West Coast. Rainfall for the month was rather patchy – with some very dry regions bordering extremely wet ones – in part because frequent thunderstorm activity during the month resulted in rather local rainfalls.