Heard a comment today that this May could be the warmest on record for NZ. Unless it's already "well" ahead, though, the cooler nights to end the month might scuttle that. Haven't heard any detail to clarify matters yet.
Mean daily maximums are very likely to be the warmest on record for May in eastern areas - Almost every day this month, some place seems to rise above 20C.
and night time minima too - we have had quite a few 14-16 degree overnights here this month with mild Nw winds blowing through the night. Even the cool nights have only been in the 5-7 deg range.
Ive heard reports that this May is the driest for 25 years. I have only recorded 23mm this month here in SW Melton with the majority of it falling in the first 3 days.
Interestingly, it looks like there's a strong, cold south to southwest flow out to the east of NZ at present (most probably affecting the Chathams), according to the current weather map. A situation that we haven't had at all over NZ this month.
Interesting that we are missing much of this weather.
Interesting to see the container blown into Otago Harbour with the strong SW yesterday on TV One weather tonight.
yea it has definatly been a warm May here in Hawkes Bay, most days above 20C with today being an exception. Im guessing we take the rain record with all of our 3mm for the month to date.
We would almost certainly have a record dry May in Chch if it wasn't for the wet weather at the beginning of the month - virtually nothing has fallen in the city since then.
Last edited by tich on Wed 30/05/2007 20:11, edited 1 time in total.
Doesn't look like the warmth (in relation to average) of this month is part of a warm spell - apart from March, the other months so far this year have been somewhat cooler than normal, and last December was almost 2C below average nationally.
The previous May record-holder, in 1962, was in a run of months from Oct. 1961 to February 1963 inclusive, in which almost every month was warmer than average.
they are talking about the next 3 months (june/july/august, i.e winter) being warmer than average...for that whole period
but you will certainly get cold snaps and colder than normal perods in that time, like whats expected to happen at the end of this week
Technically, they still have a chance (period would be April-June) provided June is pretty wet! (unlikely now)
Edit: they changed their minds in the next (May) one -
Outlook for May to July – average or above average air temperatures in most places. Normal or below normal rainfall and stream flows in the east of the country. Normal rainfall elsewhere.