Rainfall above normal last month

Rainfall levels and river flows in Taranaki were above normal for December, while the water temperature in the Waiwhakaiho River was the highest ever for the month, latest data showed.

The Taranaki Regional Council’s monthly weather wrap showed rainfall levels for December averaging 134 per cent.

Most of the rain fell in the first half of the month, with little to no rain experienced after this time. Four sites recorded below normal for the month – North Egmont (78 per cent), Hillsborough (97 per cent), Egmont Village and Everett Park (98 per cent).

Weather stations at Kaupokonui, near Manaia, and Duffy’s Farm, near Whareroa, recorded more than double the December rainfall with 219 per cent and 226 per cent respectively.

Rainfall for the year ranged between 73 per cent and 124 per cent of normal levels, with an average of 96 per cent.

Eight sites – Dawson Falls (104 per cent), Motunui (105 per cent), Stratford (101 per cent), Cape Egmont (100 per cent), Te Kiri (104 per cent), Manaia (107 per cent), Whareroa (124 per cent) and Patea (117 per cent) – all recorded above normal rainfall.

River flows were generally above normal, except for the Waiwhakaiho River and Waiongana Stream which had below normal flows, likely due to the lower than normal rainfall recorded at North Egmont. As a result, the water temperatures were below normal everywhere except Waiwhakaiho, which had a mean water temperature of 15.22C, or

0.22C warmer than the December long-term average.

The maximum temperature of

26.9C was recorded at Brooklands Zoo while Whareroa, near Ha¯wera, recorded the coolest with 4.7C.

The average air temperatures for the month, excluding the sites on Mt Taranaki, was 16.5C – 0.2C cooler than the long term December average.

There were new minimum air temperatures at Motunui (7.1C) and Waitotara (7.59C).

Soil moisture was mixed with eight sites – Kotare, Okoki, Pohokura, Okato, Te Kiri, Manaia, Patea and Waitotara Coast – recording above normal.

Three other – Motunui, Hillsborough and Waitotara Valley – recorded below normal.

Three sites recorded new maximum soil moistures for December: Kotare (59.87 per cent), Pohokura Saddle (57.26 per cent) and Waitotara Coast (35.03 per cent).

Soil temperatures were also mixed with Kotare, Okoki, Motunui, Pohokura, Te Kiri, Manaia, Patea and Waitotara Valley all recording above normal.

Three other sites – Hillsborough, Okato and Waitotara Coast – recorded below normal.