Looking ahead into September
August 2014 weather wrap
"Southwesterlies prevailed over New Zealand during August" says MetService meteorologist Georgina Griffiths. "Below
average temperatures were generally observed across the country, with the exception of a handful of warm days to start
and end the month" Griffiths said. Several cold outbreaks brought snow during the month, the most significant during
13-15 August.
The first half of August was wet for the west and far south of the South Island, as well as for the western and central
North Island. "The second half of the month saw higher pressures over the South Island, with mostly dry conditions seen
there" said Griffiths. In contrast, two northeast episodes brought heavy rain to the northeast of the North Island at
the end of August. On August 20, heavy rain caused flash flooding near Rotorua and also around Kerikeri and Kaeo (with
52 mm recorded at Kaeo in just one hour). And more rain is expected this weekend for eastern parts of Northland,
Auckland, Coromandel and also the Bay of Plenty. People in these regions should keep up to date at www.metservice.com.
Looking ahead into September
"It looks like we will see the atmosphere change gears as we move through September," said MetService meteorologist
Georgina Griffiths. "Overall, lower than usual pressures are expected over New Zealand in September".
"At the start of the month, the lows lie over the north of the country - keeping it on the damp and warm side from Taupo
northwards - while the South Island keeps most of the dry weather and high pressure," Griffiths said.
"But as we move further into the month, expect those lows to shuffle south towards Cook Strait bringing rain for the
remainder of the North Island. As a result, a wetter than usual September is forecast for the entire North Island, as
well as for Nelson and Marlborough. But in contrast, it looks like a relatively dry month for Southland and Otago."
"A cool September is likely for Southland and Otago, and it looks a touch cooler for eastern areas of both Islands as
well", Griffiths stated. "Above-average temperatures are expected for the northern North Island from Taupo northwards.
Elsewhere, temperatures look to be close to the September average."
Compared to the average September:
Auckland: Warmer and wetter
Hamilton: Wetter; near average temperatures
Tauranga: Warmer and wetter
Wellington: Cooler; a tad wetter
Christchurch: Cooler; but the jury's out on rainfall
Dunedin: Cooler and drier
ends