August finally bucked the trend for lower than average rainfall in Taranaki this year with 210.8mm or 22% more than usual, with our gauge at the Pohokura Saddle in the Eastern Hill Country recording 59% higher than normal. That monthly downpour means the Pohokura Saddle now has just 3% more than normal rainfall for the year, with all of our monitoring stations below the typical average, with Waitotara at Hawken Rd at 37% less rainfall than normal. On average there has been 15% less than normal
This year’s trend for lower rainfall continued with an average of 135.2mm in Taranaki in July, 23% less than usual. Among all locations, Taungatara at Eltham Rd had the lowest rainfall compared to its average, with 39% less rain, while Dawson Falls had the highest, with 9% more than usual. Year-to-date rainfall is lowest at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 41% less rainfall than normal, Motunui M39 at Weston W3 has had the highest year-to-date rainfall with 4% less normal rainfall, on average there
June has continued this year’s trend for dryer weather with an average of 108.8mm of rain – 37% less than normal. On average there has been 23% less rain than normal across all rain gauges in the region with the lowest year-to-date rainfall at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 44% less than normal. June’s figures show there was 57% less rain at Waitotara at Ngutuwera, and 7% more at Motunui M39 at Weston W3. Mean river flows were 34.4% lower than typical values, low flows were 2.8% lower, and high
The dryer than normal year continued last month with an average of 41% less rain than usual in Taranaki. The average rainfall total for the month was 104.5mm and there was 62% less rain at Kotare at OSullivans, and 12% less at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd. Year-to-date rainfall is lowest at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 43% less rainfall than usual and on average there has been 19% less than normal across all rain gauges. Mean river flows for May were 40.8% lower than typical values, low flows were
There was a north-south divide in Taranaki rainfall last month with Manganui at Everett Park having 74% more rain than usual compared with the 60% less rain at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd. The average rainfall for the region was 166.1mm, 11% more than usual, and year to date rainfall ranges from 41% less rainfall at Waitotara at Hawken Rd, and 16% more rainfall at Kotare at OSullivans, with an average of 11% less than normal. Mean river flows were 36% greater than typical values, low flows were 2.4%
Autumn arrived in Taranaki in March with an average air tempeature of 14.5°C - 1.7°C cooler than normal. The highest temperature was 25.7°C at Inglewood at Oxidation Ponds. There was an average of 95.9mm rainfall – 14% less than usual – although there were some big downpours on te Maunga with 374.5mm at the North Egmont Visitors Centre and 351mm at Dawson Falls. There was 41% less rain at Brooklands Zoo at New Plymouth and 33% more at Kotare at OSullivans. Mean river flows for March were 38.7%
We had a mostly dry February in Taranaki with average rainfall of 63.5mm – 44% less than usual for the month. Brooklands Zoo at New Plymouth had 78% less rain than normal while Omaru at Charlies (in the Southern Hill Country) had 8% less rain than an average February. The dry trend which started in January continued with year to date rainfall an average 22% less than normal, including 48% less at Pātea at Stratford. Mean river flows for February were 45% of typical values, low flows were 29%
January was warmer than usual while rainfall for the month was just slightly above normal – but with some big differences across the region. Waitotara at Ngutuwera had 53% less rain than usual while Uruti at Kaka Rd had 39% more. The average rainfall for the region was 108.4mm, 2% more than usual. The average air temperature for the region (excluding Te Maunga sites) was 18.2°C, which is 0.6°C warmer than long-term January averages. The highest temperature was 30.3°C at Waitotara at Hawken Rd.
December was a slightly drier and warmer month than usual for most of Taranaki with 159.1mm of rainfall – 3% less than usual. There was 3% less rainfall than average, ranging from 60% less rain at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd to 61% more rain than normal at Waiwhakaiho at Hillsborough. The year's rainfall ranges from 12% less rainfall at Omahine at Moana Trig, and 10% more rainfall at Omaru at Charlies, with an average of 2% less than a normal year. The average air temperature for Taranaki was
November was a slightly wetter and cooler month than usual for most of Taranaki with 143.9mm of rainfall – 3% more than usual. There was 3% more rainfall than average, ranging from 32% less rain at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd to 39% more rain than normal at Waiwhakaiho at Hillsborough. Year to date rainfall ranges from 11% less rainfall at Pohokura Saddle, and 12% more rainfall at Omaru at Charlies, with an average of 2% less than normal. The average air temperature for Taranaki was 13.5°C, which is