Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Business Headlines | Internet | Science | Scientific Ethics | Technology | Search

 

The Climate Record That Keeps Getting Broken


Among the multitude of New Zealand climate statistics there is one record that continues to be broken month after month.

Since January 2017 there has not been one month that recorded a below average nationwide temperature, according to NIWA’s seven station temperature series. That’s a total of 41 consecutive months in which the temperature has not slipped more than 0.5C below the long-term (1981-2010) average. And of those 41 months, 20 have had above average temperatures and 21 have been near average.

NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll says that is clear evidence of New Zealand’s warming climate.

“Our baseline for warmth is changing. Having 41 consecutive months without a single chilly interlude, considering the nation as a whole, is striking.”

The first six months of 2020 have produced a number of other significant climate statistics:
 

  • Auckland has had its second driest January to June on record with just 310 mm of rain recorded
  • The Coromandel Peninsula had 95 days of drought or severe drought – Auckland had 78, according to the New Zealand Drought Index
  • Gisborne recorded the top temperature in New Zealand of 38.2C on January 31. This was also the city’s hottest temperature on record
  • 28 locations observed their highest maximum or minimum air temperature from January-June
  • New Zealand’s nationwide temperature anomaly was 0.47C above average during January-June, according to NIWA’s seven station series
  • It was New Zealand’s 5th warmest June on record
  • The sunniest region so far this year is the Bay of Plenty with 1424 hours
  • The highest one-day rainfall was 509mm at Milford Sound on February 3
  • From February 1-4 Milford Sound received 1104 mm of rain or 16% of its annual normal
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

High pressure has frequented New Zealand’s north throughout the year, bringing dry weather patterns and keeping rain bands suppressed to the south.

The Southern Annular Mode has been positive about 60% of the time — a positive Southern Annular Mode generally means more tranquil weather around NZ. Trends in the positive direction, meaning more frequent ridges of sub-tropical high pressure particularly during summer, are consistent with climate change expectations.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.