INDEPENDENT NEWS

March 2008 another month of summer & drought

Published: Tue 1 Apr 2008 01:52 PM
NATIONAL CLIMATE CENTRE Tuesday 1 April 2008
National Climate Summary – March 2008 another month of summer & drought
* Temperature: Above average especially Waikato, King Country, central and south west North Island
* Soil moisture: Significant deficits in the west of the North Island from Auckland to Manawatu, Wairarapa and Marlborough until end of the month
* Rainfall: Low in Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury and Fiordland
* Sunshine: Above average especially from Taranaki to Wellington, Marlborough and southern New Zealand
March was another month of summer and records.
March 2008 was warmer than December 2007, with temperatures well above average everywhere. The national average temperature of 16.5°C was 0.8°C above average. Heatwave conditions occurred across inland and eastern areas of the South Island from 18th to 21st March with temperatures of 30°C or more recorded regularly. Record daytime extreme maximum temperatures for March occurred during this period throughout Canterbury, north and Central Otago. The highest temperature for the year so far of 35°C was recorded at Culverden, Woodbury and Timaru Airport on the 19th. The highest ever March temperature recorded in New Zealand is 36°C (Ashburton, March 1956).
Severe soil moisture deficits (more than 130 mm) developed again in the Waikato, parts of the King Country, South Taranaki to Manawatu, Wairarapa and central Marlborough until March 29th. Significant soil moisture deficits (more than 110 mm) persisted throughout much of the west of the North Island, and from the Hereaunga Plains to Wairarapa, and in the east of the South Island. There is no single definition of a “drought” but, in general terms, areas with more than 110 mm soil moisture deficit may be said to be experiencing agricultural drought conditions, particularly if these areas are not accustomed to very dry conditions at the time of year. Rainfalls in the last two days of the month recovered the situation somewhat in Taranaki and Manawatu, and to a lesser extent in the Waikato.
Low rainfall occurred throughout Canterbury, Fiordland, Auckland, Waikato, the King Country and eastern Wairarapa with only a third (30%) to half (50%) of normal rainfall. Rainfall was above average in Wellington, the north of the South Island and eastern Otago. It was generally sunny month, especially in southern New Zealand.
The month’s overall climate pattern was produced by more anticyclones east of New Zealand, with ridges extending back across the country producing light winds over the South Island, and easterlies over the North Island.
Further Highlights:
* The lowest air temperature during the month was -1.6 ºC recorded at Lauder on the 10th. The highest temperature during March 2008 was 34.8 ºC recorded at both Timaru Airport, and 35°C (rounded to the nearest degree) at Culverden and Woodbury on the 19th. This was 1°C less than the highest ever New Zealand March temperature of 36°C recorded at Ashburton in 1956.
* A tornado funnel was cited in Auckland on 7th March.
* From the 18th to 21st of March heatwave conditions occurred in inland and eastern areas of the South Island.
* The Hamilton area recorded its highest March temperature on record of 29.4°C (records commenced in 1907) on 16th March, and Palmerston North 31.8°C on the 22nd (records commenced in 1918).
* The highest wind gust for the month was 152 km/h at Castlepoint on the 11th in strong westerly conditions.
* Of the five main centres, Auckland was the warmest, Wellington the wettest and sunniest, and Christchurch the driest.
Temperature: Mean temperatures were 1°C above average in the Waikato, western Bay of Plenty, Taranaki to Manawatu and parts of the west of the South Island, and at least 0.5°C above average in much of the remainder of the North Island, Marlborough, Westland, and parts of Canterbury and Otago. Average maximum temperatures were 2°C above average from the Waikato to the central Plateau, Manawatu, South Canterbury and central Otago.
Rainfall: Low rainfall occurred throughout Canterbury, Fiordland, Auckland, Waikato, the King Country and eastern Wairarapa with only a third (30%) to half (50%) of normal rainfall. Below average rainfall occurred throughout much of the rest of the North Island, except Gisborne, the Far North and Wellington. Rainfall was above average in the Far North, Wellington, north of the South Island and eastern Otago.
Sunshine: Above average sunshine hours (at least 110 percent of normal) occurred in many areas of New Zealand. It was particularly sunny in southern New Zealand where totals were at least 120 percent of normal.
For further information, please contact:
Dr Jim Salinger – Principal Scientist – Climate, NIWA National Climate Centre, Auckland,
Tel. (09) 375 2053 (work) or (027) 521 9468 (mobile) or (09) 576 9468 (Home).
Dr Jim Renwick – Science Leader – NIWA National Climate Centre, Wellington, Tel. (04) 386 0343 (work) or (021) 178 5550 (mobile)
TEMPERATURE: WELL ABOVE AVERAGE
The National average temperature of 16.5°C was 0.8°C above average. Mean temperatures were 1°C above average in the Waikato, western Bay of Plenty, Taranaki to Manawatu and parts of the west of the South Island, and at least 0.5°C above average in much of the remainder of the North Island, Marlborough, Westland, and parts of Canterbury and Otago. Average March temperatures occurred in Gisborne, Buller and parts of eastern Otago. Average maximum temperatures were 2°C above average from the Waikato to the central Plateau, Manawatu, South Canterbury and central Otago.
Near record high mean maximum air temperatures were recorded at:
Location Mean maximum air temperature (ºC) Departure fromNormal YearRecords began Comments
Pukekohe 24.1 +1.8 1971 Highest
Whatawhata 24.1 +1.8 1952 4th highest
Hamilton Airport 24.9 +1.9 1970 Highest
Te Kuiti 25.3 +2.5 1959 2nd highest
New Plymouth Airport 22.8 +1.9 1944 2nd highest
Manapouri, West Arm 18.3 +2.1 1962 3rd equal highest
Queenstown Airport 20.9 +2.2 1969 3rd highest
RAINFALL: LOW IN CANTERBURY, FIORDLAND, AUCKLAND AND WAIKATO
Low rainfall occurred throughout Canterbury, Fiordland, Auckland Waikato,the King Country and eastern Wairarapa with only a third (30% to half (50%) of normal rainfall. Below average rainfall occurred throughout much of the rest of the North Island, except the Far North, Gisborne and Wellington. In the South Island, rainfall was below average along the west coast. Average rainfall occurred in much of Otago and Southland. Rainfall was above average in Wellington, the north of the South Island and eastern Otago.
SUNSHINE: SUNNY OVER MUCH OF THE COUNTRY
Above average sunshine hours (at least 110 percent of normal) occurred in many areas of New Zealand. It was particularly sunny in southern New Zealand where totals were at least 120 percent of normal. Sunshine totals were close to normal in the east of the North Island and Golden Bay.
MARCH’S CLIMATE IN THE FIVE MAIN CENTRES
Auckland was the warmest, Wellington the wettest and sunniest, and Christchurch the driest of the five main centres. Rainfall was below normal in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch and above normal in Wellington. Temperatures were above normal in all the cities except Christchurch. Sunshine hours were above normal in four of the five cities, and near normal in Christchurch.
March 2008 main centre climate statistics:
Location Mar.meantemp.(°C) Dep.from normal(°C) Mar.rainfall(mm) % ofnormal Mar.Sunshine(hours) % ofnormal
Auckland 19.8 +1.2 Well above normal 30a 31 Very low 215 117 Above normal
Hamilton 18.2 +1.3 Well above normal 36 41 Very low 202 109 Above normal
Wellington 16.9 +1.1 Well above normal 170 185 Well above average 216 113 Above normal
Christchurch b 15.1 +0.01 Near normal 20 c 36 Well below normal 189 103 Normal
Dunedin 14.4 +0.6 Above normal 75 107 Normal 172 123 Well above normal
a Owairaka b Christchurch Airport c
HIGHLIGHTS AND EXTREME EVENTS
* Temperature
The lowest air temperature during the month was -1.6 ºC recorded at Lauder on the 10th.
The highest temperature during March 2008 was 34.8 ºC recorded at both Timaru Airport, and 35°C (rounded to the nearest degree) at Culverden and Woodbury on the 19th. These temperatures were the highest for 2008 to date. The 35°C was 1°C less than the highest ever New Zealand March temperature of 36°C recorded at Ashburton in 1956.
From the 18th to the 21st heatwave conditions occurred in inland and eastern South Island areas, with temperatures of 30°C or more, and many locations recording their highest March temperatures on record.
Near record high extreme maximum air temperatures were recorded at:
Location Extreme maximum air
temperature (ºC) Date Year records
began Comments
Whatawhata 29.4 16th 1952 3rd highest
Ruakura 28.9 16th 1907 4th equal highest
Hamilton Airport 29.5 16th 1970 Highest
Port Taharoa 27.5 16th 1982 3rd highest
Te Kuiti 29.8 16th 1959 2nd highest
Hanmer Forest 32.5 19th 1906 Highest
Mt Cook 29.9 19th 1930 Highest
Culverden 35.0 19th 1928 Highest
Waipara West 34.4 19th 2007 Highest
Winchmore 33.5 19th 1950 Highest
Ashburton 33.9 19th 1928 2nd equal
Lake Tekapo 30.7 19th 1927 Equal highest
Fairlie 32.0 18th 1925 3rd highest
Timaru Airport 34.8 19th 1962 Highest
Tara Hills, Omarama 31.1 19th 1950 2nd highest
Wanaka Airport 29.6 19th 1973 3rd highest
Ranfurly 30.8 19th 1928 Highest
Middlemarch 32.6 19th 1925 Highest
Dunedin Airport 32.1 19th 1963 2nd highest
Manapouri, West Arm 25.9 19th 1962 2nd highest
Queenstown Airport 30.0 19th 1969 Highest
Lumsden 29.7 19th 1985 Highest
Alexandra 33.0 19th 1929 Highest
Clyde 32.6 19th 1947 Highest
Gore 29.0 19th 1971 2nd highest
* High winds
Wind speeds of 152 km/hr occurred at Castlepoint on the 11th.
* High rainfall
Heavy drought breaking rain occurred in Taranaki on the 30th with 100 mm at Stratford.
* Severe Soil Moisture Deficits
By 29th March severe soil moisture deficits (more than 130 mm) were present in parts of Auckland, Waikato, South Taranaki, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Marlborough. Significant soil moisture deficits (more than 110 mm) persisted throughout much of the west of the North Island, and from the Heretaunga Plains to Wairarapa, and in the east of the South Island. The combination of the hot and dry conditions meant that dairy farmers continued drying off dairy stock, with sheep farmers selling stock early. The stock feed situation remained very low in the drought areas.
ENDS
www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc Copyright NIWA 2008. All rights reserved.

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