February only had an average of 60.8mm of rainfall – 75% less than usual. This ranged from 97% less than normal at Waitōtara at Hawken Rd, and 42% less at Pohokura Saddle. Year to date rainfall is lowest at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd with 72% less rainfall than normal, Omahine at Moana Trig has had the highest year-to-date rainfall with 33% less than normal, on average there has been 57% less than normal across all rain gauges. Mean river flows for February were 42.7% lower than typical values, low
and year to date totals for rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
April Year to Date
Rain gauge # days
with rain
Total
rain
(mm)
% of
typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
North Egmont at
Visitors Centre 18 519.0 102.1 1359.0 79.3 19.6 1991
Dawson Falls 17 512.0 106.4 1213.0 79.9 20.4 1933
Kapoaiaia at Kahui
Hut 20 485.0 120.6 1178.0 91.8 22.4 2006
Mangorei Upper at
Forest Hill 15
and year to date totals for rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
March Year to Date
Rain gauge # days
with rain
Total
rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
North Egmont at
Visitors Centre 15 374.5 89.7 840.0 69.7 12.1 1991
Dawson Falls 19 351.0 95.7 701.0 67.5 11.8 1933
Kapoaiaia at Kahui
Hut 22 288.0 91.0 693.0 78.6 13.2 2006
Mangorei Upper at
Forest Hill 19 165.5 64.4
October continued this year’s trend for lower than average rainfall – but only just! There was an average of 158.2mm – that’s 1% less than usual – for the month, ranging from 26% less rain at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd, and 22% more at Waitotara at Hawken Rd. On average there has been 12% less rainfall than normal across all rain gauges, with year-to-date rainfall lowest at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 26% less rainfall than normal while the Pohokura Saddle has had the highest year-to-date rainfall
Last year ended with December having 34% less rain than usual and the first month of 2025 mirrored that exactly with 34% less rainfall across the region in January. This was particularly the case in South Taranaki with the monitoring station at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd recording 59% less than usual. The district also saw the highest soil temperature with 28.1°C at Waitōtara at Rimunui Station on 22 January. Mean river flows for January were 40.1% lower than typical values, low flows were 11.6%
Rainfall February and year to date totals for rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
February Year to Date
Rain gauge # days
with rain
Total
rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
North Egmont at
Visitors Centre 13 221.0 56.8 465.5 59.1 6.7 1991
Dawson Falls 10 167.5 49.9 350.0 52.1 5.9 1933
Kapoaiaia at Kahui
Hut 15 159.0 60.4 405.0 71.7 7.7 2006
Mangorei Upper at
Forest Hill 11
June has continued this year’s trend for dryer weather with an average of 108.8mm of rain – 37% less than normal. On average there has been 23% less rain than normal across all rain gauges in the region with the lowest year-to-date rainfall at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 44% less than normal. June’s figures show there was 57% less rain at Waitotara at Ngutuwera, and 7% more at Motunui M39 at Weston W3. Mean river flows were 34.4% lower than typical values, low flows were 2.8% lower, and high
The dryer than normal year continued last month with an average of 41% less rain than usual in Taranaki. The average rainfall total for the month was 104.5mm and there was 62% less rain at Kotare at OSullivans, and 12% less at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd. Year-to-date rainfall is lowest at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 43% less rainfall than usual and on average there has been 19% less than normal across all rain gauges. Mean river flows for May were 40.8% lower than typical values, low flows were
Summer is (allegedly) on the way, you can tell because between downpours it’s warmer than winter. On the plus side the spring rains have brought a riot of colour to Tūpare. The rhododendrons have had a spectacular start to the summer season and the hydrangeas are close behind. Hydrangeas thrive in Taranaki’s mild, damp climate and this year has been the best for a while. Personally, I think the blues have never been more vibrant. I’ve often speculated whether the low light levels associated
Map 1a. YTD total rain (mm) and percentage of long-term mean.
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Table 1: Rainfall monthly and year to date totals at 27 rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
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December Year to Date
Rain gauge # days
with rain
Total rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
N Egmont VC 15 365.0 61 8117.5 118 118 1991
Dawson Falls 16 383.0 88 8349.0 141 141 1933
Kahui