One day away from breaking August rain record

August 29, 2019

One day away from breaking August rain record

Rain has fallen every day for the best part of August this year pushing records to the limit Photo: Ayla Miller

Rain has been falling daily for the best part of this month and it’s pushed records to the limit in Auckland.

According to the Metservice there has been 25 rainy days in a row, almost as many as last year.

In August 2018 there were 26 consecutive wet days and in the same month in 2017 there were 21.

The high rainfall this month is due to several fronts and low pressures according to meteorologist Tui McInnes.

“Fronts and low-pressure systems generally eventuate in rain for a lot of the country especially with ones the size we have had. We’ve had quite a lot of wetter, windier spells which have been broken up by some nice weather like we saw on the 19th [of this month],” he said.

However, Mr McInnes added that this year had been drier than average overall.

“The rain is always more noticeable if you’re running drier during the year and then get a decent period of wet weather,” he said.

Farmers aren’t complaining though, and Federated Farmers Auckland provincial president Alan Cole said there had been enough relief from the rain to allow for some rapid grass growth.

“It’s been quite a wet fortnight but even though it’s raining everyday it’s very minimal. The key thing is that we had really good weather up until the first of August,” he said.

“June and July have been probably one of the better runs we’ve had in a long time. People have built up grass growth and we are getting a bit of warm weather now so hopefully the next few days will get the grass growing.”

New Zealand is in for some colder weather over the next few days with NIWA meteorologists keeping an eye on a rare weather phenomenon called a “sudden stratospheric warming” which is expected to hit New Zealand between August 29 and September 2.  The last SSW, which occurred in 2002, brought about the coldest October in 20 years.

Related Stories

Relief on the horizon for frustrated ferry users

Relief on the horizon for frustrated ferry users

Ryan Bos March 22, 2024

Frustration over Auckland Council’s plans to charge for park-and-ride

Frustration over Auckland Council’s plans to charge for park-and-ride

Tiana Thorpe March 20, 2024

Brazen knifepoint robbery of local dairy sparks outrage - and support

Brazen knifepoint robbery of local dairy sparks outrage - and support

JESSICA DOLPHIN April 1, 2022

Call for Gaza ceasefire boosted by Auckland's International Women's Day

Call for Gaza ceasefire boosted by Auckland's International Women's Day

Grace Symmans March 28, 2024

Rugby numbers continue to kick on

Rugby numbers continue to kick on

Matt Bullock March 26, 2024

Circus skills unite communities in East Auckland

Circus skills unite communities in East Auckland

Fravash Irani March 26, 2024