National Climate Summary – February 2006

National Climate Summary – February 2006

• Rainfall: High rainfall in eastern Bay of Plenty; extremely low in parts of Northland and Auckland

• Soil moisture: Widespread deficits in the north of the North Island, and east of the South Island

• Temperature: Near average in most regions; below average in Westland

• Sunshine: Extremely sunny in the far north, normal or above normal elsewhere

A contrast of rainfall occurred in the North Island in February, with relatively high totals in eastern Bay of Plenty, and extremely low totals in parts of Northland and Auckland.

The high rainfall in eastern and inland Bay of Plenty was due to two days of very wet weather over the 9th and 10th of February. Rainfall was average or below average over much of the South Island. Significant soil moisture deficits redeveloped in Northland, Auckland, and Gisborne, and persisted in Canterbury, Central Otago, and Manawatu.

February was one of Kaitaia’s sunniest on record. Sunshine hours were normal or above normal in most other regions. Mean temperatures were average or above average in most regions, but below average in Westland. The national average temperature of 17.2 °C was 0.1 °C below the 1971-2000 normal. During February, mean sea level pressures were above average in the Tasman Sea and to the southeast of the South Island.

In contrast, below average pressures occurred northeast of the North Island and well southwest of the South Island. This pattern produced more frequent southeasterlies over the northern half of the North Island. There were no significant wind flow anomalies elsewhere.

ENDS

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