Weather and Fire Watch Summaries | Issue 206

NIWA:

Dryness has expanded/intensified for the eastern North Island, including eastern Northland
Elevated odds for heat stress to livestock (and people!): Over the next 1-2+ weeks, temperatures are likely to be unusually warm – and at times – highly unusually warm, especially for the North Island
Westerly quarter winds are likely to be a ‘theme’ for December – eventually the growing La Niña signal is expected to lead to fewer westerlies and more east to northeast winds in the weeks and months ahead
Monitoring the chance for heavy rainfall events – especially north & east – as summer advances and we progress into autumn
Marine heatwave conditions evident, likely to grow over the coming weeks & months

FENZ Wildfire Season:

During spring, despite occasional heavy rainfall events on the West Coast of the South Island and in Taranaki, eastern areas of both islands have experienced been below-normal rainfall, particularly in parts of Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti, Canterbury, and Otago. In some cases, only 20–30% of normal rainfall was received.
The combination of the dry winter, below normal rainfall and warm temperatures (well above normal in some locations) has contributed to an increase in fire danger levels. Particularly in areas of Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, followed closely by Canterbury and Otago.
In response to increasing fire danger levels, fire restrictions are in place for a few locations, given the forecast the expectation is these will likely extend and include other areas.
Additional to those areas mentioned, areas to watch are Marlborough, Northland, Bay of Plenty, and Wairarapa.
With the possibility of some rain at times, depending on the amounts and locations where these fall, we do expect the areas of highest fire danger to change through the season.
You can keep updated on fire danger through the ‘checkitsalright’ website and season outlooks on the Fire and Emergency NZ website.