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
October was a relatively dry month for most of Taranaki with 115mm of rainfall – 30% less than usual. There was 48% less rain than normal at Brooklands Zoo in New Plymouth and the site also had the highest air temperature for the month at 25.6°C. Year to date rainfall ranges from 13% less rainfall at Uruti at Kaka Rd, and 10% more rainfall at Omaru at Charlies, with an average of 3% less than normal. Mean river flows for October were 28.3% lower than typical values while mean river
Brooklands Zoo in New Plymouth recorded the highest air temperature last month - 21.2°C - while rainfall across Taranaki was just 3% more than typical for September. On average rainfall was 158.5mm ranging from 15% less rainfall at Kotare at OSullivans, and 30% more rainfall at Motunui M39 at Weston W3 than a typical September. Year to date rainfall ranges from 11% less rainfall at Uruti at Kaka Rd, and 14% more rainfall at Tawhiti at Duffys, with an average of 1% more than normal. Mean river
After a very wet start to 2023, year to date rainfall for Taranaki is now about average. Dry July continued into August with an average of 145.4mm of rain, 17% less than a typical amount for the month. This ranged from 44% less rainfall at Mangorei Upper at Forest Hill to 2% more rainfall at Waitotara at Rimunui Station than usual. Mean river flows for August were 29.6% lower than typical values while mean river (non-mountain) water temperatures were 9.4°C, an average of 1°C cooler than
It was a dry July for some parts of the region last month with an average of 108.3mm of rain, 41% less than typical July rainfall. There was 71% less than rainfall at Whangamomona at Marco Road while mean river flows were 41.4% lower than typical values. Year to date rainfall ranges from 15% less rainfall at Uruti at Kaka Rd, and 17% more rainfall at Tawhiti at Duffys, with an average of 4% more than normal. Mean river (non-mountain) water temperatures were 10.3°C, an average of 0.4°C warmer
Our hydrology team crunches the data to bring you these monthly and yearly summaries. Note: The rainfall distribution maps (right column) are prepared using data interpolated from measurements taken at sites where rainfall is monitored by the Council. These maps are based on mathematical modelling and may not accurately represent actual rainfall in some unmonitored areas.