WELLINGTON, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will have more rainy and windy days from January to March this year under potential La Nina impact, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said on Thursday.
The country will see enhanced potential for rain events linked to the tropics and sub-tropics to impact the country from mid-January through to March, and a La Nina Watch remains in effect, according to the Seasonal Climate Outlook published by NIWA.
Apart from the west and east of the South Island, the rest of New Zealand has about equal chances for near normal or above normal rainfall for the coming three months, the outlook said.
Changing airflows mean changing and mixed weather in the first three months of the year, it said, adding that the change in air flow patterns increases the odds for spells of cooler than usual summertime temperatures.
La Nina events have different impacts on New Zealand's climate. More north-easterly winds are characteristic, which tend to bring moist, rainy conditions to the northeast of the North Island, and reduced rainfall to the south and southwest of the South Island, according to the NIWA website.
It is only the second time in 75 years that a La Nina onset has arrived in summer, as La Nina usually forms in winter, peaks in late spring, and then gradually weakens through summer, the Radio New Zealand reported.
New Zealand areas not exposed to rain-bearing weather systems may experience extended dry spells, according to the outlook.
Air temperatures are likely to be above average for the North Island, with about equal chances for near average or above average seasonal temperatures for the South Island, it said. ■
