A chill wind blows in 'Winterless' North

25th May 2009

by Andr? Hueber

Wrap up in woollies because we're colder than usual, but you may not need a brollie because we haven't been as wet, Metservice says.

Forecaster Ramon Oosterkamp said it had been much chillier a lot earlier this year and the Winterless North "hasn't quite lived up to its reputation on this occasion".

The average rainfall in Whangarei was 81.2mm shy of the national average of 140mm.

"There's still 10 days left to the end of the month though and it wouldn't be unrealistic to pick up another 40mm by then," Mr Oosterkamp said.

Winds were expected to tip from a southerly to a south-easterly tomorrow, bringing a few showers to Dargaville and more frequent showers to Whangarei.

By Wednesday skies would clear, bringing more frosty conditions inland, Mr Oosterkamp said.

The outlook until July is for average or above average temperature, according to NIWA's seasonal climate outlook which predicts rainfall and stream flows are likely to be normal or above normal for the season.

Author of the annual Predict Weather Almanacs for NZ, Ken Ring, who forecasts weather from phases of the moon, said May had seen a sudden change of season, which he claimed to have predicted "well in advance".

Some flooding was possible in July and August, Mr Ring said, but overall rainfall in Whangarei might be slightly below that for the rest of Northland.

"After some unseasonably cold and waterlogged months, Northland farmers may find themselves facing a shortage of hay and silage at the year's end."