Notable Drought Conditions Reach Parts of New Zealand! (credit: NIWA)

DISCUSSION: Per the earlier discussion from NIWA Meteorologist Ben Noll, there is now a heightened sense of concern based on a substantial amount of data pointing to the presence of significant drought conditions across parts of central to northern New Zealand.  The primary indication came from farmers spread across the island nation  who reported serious issues with their crop output over the past few months which has major implications for the local economic balance of the country and surrounding countries as well.  Hence, this newest drought assessment has the potential to deliver serious consequences on much of the general populous spread across the entire country of New Zealand.  

Attached below is a discussion (courtesy of NIWA Meteorologist Ben Noll) which more elaborately dives into the details of the current situation over in New Zealand: "Drought conditions in Northland and the northern Auckland region have officially been classified as a medium-scale adverse event.

"This is recognition of the extreme dry conditions farmers and growers are facing and triggers additional Government support," said Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy on Friday.

The East Coast of the North Island is also acknowledged as being drier than normal and is being monitored for drought development -- Gisborne is coming off its driest January on record and Napier 3rd driest.
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Our 3-month climate outlook indicates that below normal rainfall (45% chance) is the most likely outcome for the dry regions of the north and east of the North Island.
There is just a very small chance (20%) for above normal rainfall."


To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across Australia and the South Pacific, be sure to click here!

@2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz