Our hydrology team crunches the data to bring you these monthly and yearly summaries. Note: The rainfall distribution maps (right column) are prepared using data interpolated from measurements taken at sites where rainfall is monitored by the Council. These maps are based on mathematical modelling and may not accurately represent actual rainfall in some unmonitored areas.
After a very wet start to 2023, year to date rainfall for Taranaki is now about average. Dry July continued into August with an average of 145.4mm of rain, 17% less than a typical amount for the month. This ranged from 44% less rainfall at Mangorei Upper at Forest Hill to 2% more rainfall at Waitotara at Rimunui Station than usual. Mean river flows for August were 29.6% lower than typical values while mean river (non-mountain) water temperatures were 9.4°C, an average of 1°C cooler than
It was a dry July for some parts of the region last month with an average of 108.3mm of rain, 41% less than typical July rainfall. There was 71% less than rainfall at Whangamomona at Marco Road while mean river flows were 41.4% lower than typical values. Year to date rainfall ranges from 15% less rainfall at Uruti at Kaka Rd, and 17% more rainfall at Tawhiti at Duffys, with an average of 4% more than normal. Mean river (non-mountain) water temperatures were 10.3°C, an average of 0.4°C warmer
June bucked the trend for more than average monthly rainfall since the start of 2023 with an average of 74.9mm, or just 58% of the typical amount for the month. This ranged from 80% less rainfall at Waitotara at Ngutuwera, and 37% less rainfall at Brooklands Zoo at New Plymouth than a typical June. Year to date rainfall ranges from 5% less rainfall at Uruti at Kaka Rd, and 45% more rainfall at Whanganui at Mataimona Trig, with an average of 16% more than normal. Mean river flows for June were
Last month in May, sites received 48% of the typical year's rainfall with 257.2 mm of rain. On average rainfall for May was 257.2 mm, 48% more typical May rainfall, and ranging from 11% more rainfall at Omahine at Moana Trig, and 86% more rainfall at Tawhiti at Duffys than a typical May. Year to date rainfall ranges from 11% more rainfall at Waitotara at Hawken Rd, and 78% more rainfall at Whanganui at Mataimona Trig, with an average of 36% more than normal. Compared to typical full year
There were plenty of April showers last month with nearly 775mm of rain at the North Egmont Visitors Centre and 574.5mm at Dawson Falls. Rainfall was on average 101.8% of the long-term average, and ranged from 65% at Taungatara at Eltham Rd and Oeo u/s Awatuna Wetland, to 192% at Matarawa at Matarawa Valley. Year to date rainfall is sitting between 103% (Mangati at SH3) and 206% (Matarawa at Matarawa Valley) with an average of 139.7% of normal. Mean river flows were 133.8% of typical values,
Rainfall for June was on average 146.5% of the long-term average, and ranged from 96.4% at Kahui Hut to 205.8% at Pohokura Saddle in East Taranaki. Rainfall was elevated on the southern side of the Maunga and central and northern hill country. Year to date rainfall is sitting between 95.5% (Kotare at OSullivans) and 198.8% (Kapoaiaia at Lighthouse) with an average of 126.9% of normal. Mean river flows for June were way up from May, and are generally above typical June averages at around 159.2%
This year continues to be far wetter than usual with rainfall across Taranaki 146.7% of normal for the first three months and 128% of the long-term average in March. Last month’s rainfall ranged from 64% at Brooklands Zoo at New Plymouth to 189% at Waitotara at Ngutuwera. Year to date rainfall is sitting between 102% (Waiwhakaiho at Hillsborough) and 236% (Whanganui at Mataimona Trig). Mean river flows for March were 144.5% of typical values, low flows were 246.2%, and high flows 151.4%, of
While Taranaki escaped the deluges brought by Cyclone Gabrielle as it hit the East Coast of the North Island, February was still a wet month for the region. Rainfall was on average 140.4% of the long-term average, and ranged from 81% at Waiwhakaiho at Hillsborough to 257% at Omaru at Charlies. Year to date rainfall is sitting between 111% (Stony at Mangatete Bridge) and 334% (Whanganui at Mataimona Trig) with an average of 160.4% of normal. Compared to typical full year totals, sites have
It was a month of contrasts for the weather in Taranaki in January with a couple of weeks of cool, wet and windy conditions followed by dry and warmer weather and ending with huge downpours across the region. Rainfall was on average 193.5% of the long-term average, ranging from 89% at Kotare at O’Sullivans to 547% at Whanganui at Mataimona Trig. Rainfall was highest in the south-west ring plain area, and in the south and eastern parts of the hill country. Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd has already