February 2024 rainfall

We had a mostly dry February in Taranaki with average rainfall of 63.5mm – 44% less than usual for the month.

Brooklands Zoo at New Plymouth had 78% less rain than normal while Omaru at Charlies (in the Southern Hill Country) had 8% less rain than an average February. The dry trend which started in January continued with year to date rainfall an average 22% less than normal, including 48% less at Pātea at Stratford.

Mean river flows for February were 45% of typical values, low flows were 29% greater, and high flows were only 36% of typical highs while mean river (non-mountain) water temperatures were 17.8°C, an average of 0.4°C cooler than normal.

The average air temperature for the region (excluding Te Maunga sites) was 16.7°C, which is 0.8°C cooler than long-term February averages. The maximum air temperature recorded in February was 28.7°C at Inglewood at Oxidation Ponds. The maximum wind gust recorded in February was 129km/hr at Waitotara at Ngutuwera.

February 2024 Environmental Data Report [PDF, 3.3 MB]

January 2024 rainfall maps

What you should know:

  1. The site maps show data from a selection of the sites we monitor, but not all of them.

  2. The distribution maps are based on mathematical modelling and may not accurately represent actual rainfall in some unmonitored areas.

Click on each map for larger version.

MONITORED SITES

RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION