The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research says this winter was New Zealand's warmest ever recorded, and that climate change played a part.
The measurements were based on NIWA's measurements from seven stations across New Zealand, which have been collecting data since 1909.
This year's warm winter means that seven of the 10 warmest winters ever recorded here have taken place after 2000.
On average, the 2020 winter was 1.14C warmer than usual, just nudging out winter of 2013 from the warmest-ever spot, which was 1.08C above average.
NIWA said seventeen locations across New Zealand observed record-breaking average winter temperatures, with 53 other locations ranking within their top four warmest winters.
Forecaster Ben Noll said there were several factors involved in the warm winter:
- Climate change.
- More sub-tropical northeasterly winds that usual, especially in the North Island.
- Higher than usual sea surface temperatures than usual.
- Higher-than-usual air pressure, especially in the east.
The highest recorded temperature over winter was 25.1C on August 30 in Timaru.
The lowest was -12.3C on June 14 in Middlemarch.
SHARE ME