Wednesday, 14 February 2024 08:55

Weather back to normal?

Written by  Peter Burke
Metservice meteorologist James Millward says in 2024 we're unlikely to see the wild weather of last year. Metservice meteorologist James Millward says in 2024 we're unlikely to see the wild weather of last year.

Metservice meteorologist James Millward says the country’s weather patterns are now on a much more even footing.

He says that will give farmers more certainty as to where they are and where they are going.

Millward told Rural News that up until now, the weather has been going through something of a transitional period and the full effect of the El Nino weather pattern is likely to kick in during the coming weeks.

He says this will bring some higher pressures across the North Island, resulting in prolonged dry summer weather.

Millwards adds, the good news for farmers is that conditions will be more typical, unlike last year’s weird, wet weather.

He says, at present, the North Island is drying out and in terms of soil moisture the country is not far away from where it would normally be.

He says the exception is southern Wairarapa, which is particularly dry. But he adds that the expected early dry has not eventuated, with rain falling in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay and the possibility of further rains depending on what might happen with weather systems in the tropics.

More like this

Major shakeup for the NZ science system

The government has announced a major restructuring of the country's seven crown research institutes (CRIs), which will see them merged into three public research organisations (PROs).

Weather back to normal?

MetService meteorologist James Millward says the country’s weather patterns are now on a much more even footing.

Featured

Mark Patterson Promotes NZ Wool at India's Bharat Textile Expo

Just a matter of hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic trip to New Zealand, the political doors in India swung wide open for Associate Minister of Agriculture, Mark Patterson, who was there to help promote our high-quality coarse wool.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

New Mates

OPINION: Proponents of regenerative agriculture tend to be naturally aligned with a 'green mindset', so they will be nonplussed with…

Levy Scrutiny

OPINION: Mike Chapman, former chief executive of levy-funded HortNZ, has thrown out a challenge to farmers and growers to put…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter