This year is on track to be one of New Zealand’s top 10 warmest on record, according to NIWA forecasters.
New Zealand’s official temperature record, The Seven Station Series, is currently showing the average temperature to be
0.7C above average for 2020.
Forecaster Ben Noll says that if that remains the same, then this year would be the 7th warmest on record for New
Zealand.
“To rank in the top 5, we’d need an extremely warm December but while the forecast is looking warm, it might be a bit of
a stretch.”
Mr Noll says a variable January and cooler March tis what will most likely keep 2020 out of the top five.
Today the World Meteorological Organisation announced that 2020 is set to be one of the three warmest years on record
with the average global temperature set to be 1.2C above the pre-industrial level (1850-1900).
“Another consideration is the very low soil moisture levels experienced earlier this year, with the lack of moisture in
the ground making for better radiational cooling conditions at night. Sea surface temperatures were above average in the
New Zealand region so far in 2020 (1 Jan-1 Dec) but slightly cooler than what was experienced over the same period in
2019.”
However, Mr Noll says it is noteworthy that should 2020 finish in 7th place, it would mean five out of the top warmest
years would have occurred since 2013.
“What’s more is that that is has now been 46 consecutive months since New Zealand’s nationwide average temperature was
below average.”
Today the World Meteorological Organisation announced that 2020 is set to be one of the three warmest years on record on
the planet with the average global temperature set to be 1.2C above the pre-industrial level (1850-1900).