New Zealand Weather Continues Better Than Expected
By Andrew Owen and Drew Lerner
Kansas City, January 14 (World Weather Inc.) – New Zealand dairy and wheat production has been maintained quite favorably this year, despite a prevailing El Nino event. Typically, El Nino events produce dryness and quite often serious droughts in the nation, but this 
year has bucked the trend just like Australia has managed a good production year when it, too, often experiences drought. Most of New Zealand’s grassland is rated favorably and there has been enough rainfall in recent weeks to support good vegetative development. Temperatures have been consistently mild during much of the spring and early summer which has conserved soil moisture through slower evaporation rates. There are several areas in southern and western South Island and western North Island that would benefit from a boost in rain to keep the ground from trending too dry, but as of today there are no major concerns for livestock or grass development.
Western South Island and northwestern North Island reported the greatest amount of rain so far in January with 2.00 to 5.70 inches with local amounts up to 6.75 inches through this (Thursday) morning. Most other sections of New Zealand reported 0.75 to 2.00 inches of rain with locally greater amounts. Soil moisture in western South Island and northwestern North Island is rated adequate or excessive. Other areas either have adequate soil moisture or a slight shortage of topsoil moisture.
One of the main reasons the ground is not excessively dry in New Zealand is the lack 
of significant warming in recent weeks. Temperatures have often been cooler than normal, which has helped keep moisture in the ground for an extended period of time. There was concern that grassland conditions would deteriorate this summer due to expected dry and warm conditions from El Nino. While some of New Zealand has trended drier than normal at times, enough rain fell and temperatures were mild enough to keep the ground from drying significantly.
Rain will be needed in coming weeks to promote good topsoil moisture and grassland conditions. Some warming is expected and when that takes place it will be important that a regular occurrence of rainfall continues as well. Most of the warming will come late this month and in February.
Several waves of precipitation will advance across New Zealand during the next ten days. The first wave of showers will produce needed rain in South Island today and Friday. A low pressure center will then promote scattered showers in North Island and the northern half of South Island this weekend and Monday. Lingering showers will produce light rain in North Island and northern South Island Tuesday and next Wednesday, while another wave of rain potentially advances across the region at the end of next week.
Most areas will receive enough rain to keep soil moisture at current levels or bolster soil moisture with one exception. Southern and southeastern South Island will only see periods of light rain during the next seven days. The rain that does fall will not be enough to counter evaporation and net drying will result.
Temperatures will remain in a mild bias through the end of next week. Daytime highs will often be in the 70s and lower 80s Fahrenheit with warmer pockets in the north and cooler pockets in the south. Some drying will occur between rain events. The only area that will likely deal with short topsoil moisture by next week will be in South Island. Grassland and livestock conditions elsewhere will remain in mostly good shape.
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