Wed, 01 Sep 2010 2:52p.m.
By Josh Heslop
It seems like the change of season has stepped up a gear over the past couple of weeks. The days are getting longer and I’m finally able to walk around my flat without the double hoodie, scarf and rug combo. Spring is here and my mini Goldair fan heater is looking forward to a break!
So what do we have to look forward to? The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) says La Nina is going to stick with us right up until Christmas. In fact there are signs that it will strengthen as we head into summer and may stay for the beginning of the new year.
La Nina usually brings plenty of sunshine and warmer than normal temperatures across the board. The only downside is that eastern parts of the country, which are usually hot and dry, typically get slightly more rainfall than normal. That’s because damp north-easterlies push more cloud down from the tropics, especially onto the top of the North Island.
In saying that, La Nina also tends to push most storm activity away from the country. Storms marching from South Australia are usually guided beneath the country, while cyclone activity in the Pacific often ends up keeping well to the west of us.
The verdict is a mild Spring in 2010.
It’s a welcome change after what has become an incredibly gloomy August. The entire country has been covered with cloud for most of the month. In fact Christchurch has barely seen any sun for weeks!! I’m guessing a bit of Seasonal Affect Disorder in the Garden City!
Rain has been a big factor too. The Bay of Plenty received double the typical August rainfall, while Northland, Otago and parts of Canterbury got a drenching too. The good thing to come out of it though is healthy soil moisture. Pastures across the country have been topped up nicely, preparing farmers well for the months of sunny weather ahead. With a bit of luck we might be able to avoid extreme drought in early 2011.
The new season has started in a spectacular way. Today’s weather map is overloaded with sunny symbols. Get out and enjoy it! Daylight savings is also just around the corner. Remember it starts on 26th September.
T-shirt weather is on the way. Yee-hah!