Climate

The Wairarapa, having a similar latitude to Madrid in the Northern Hemisphere, enjoys a pleasant climate with long dry summers and cool clear winters. Maximum and minimum temperatures have in the past (records from 1969) reached 35.2 degrees Celsius in the summer and –6.5 ˚C in the winter, although highs of 32˚C and lows of –2˚C are more common. New Zealand is affected by long-term weather patterns caused by temperature changes in the major southern oceans. These patterns have been termed ‘El Niño’ and ‘La Niña’, and each last around five years before switching back to the other. We are currently entering a ‘Niño’ period, typified by the more extreme weathers of hot dry summers and cold clear winters. There is also evidence to suggest that another weather cycle exists – the Pacific Decadal Oscillation – a twenty-year cycle that can heighten or subdue the effects of El Niño and La Niña weather patterns. We appear to be entering a period that will heighten the Niño effects. The elevation of the upper terrace of Totara Bank is around 100m above sea level. At Totara Bank the average yearly rainfall is 800mm (31 inches), half falling between the months of May and August. Dry periods are common in the summer months and relatively long spells without rain can be expected. There are around 2100 hours of sunshine per year in the Gladstone area, (a microclimate in the Wairarapa). The Tararua mountain range that stretches along the central part of the lower North Island intercept the predominant northwesterly weather patterns from the Tasman Sea, causing high rainfall in the mountains and a rain shadow in the Wairarapa plains. Snow rarely falls on the plains, but is common on the mountains, where it can stay above 600m for many weeks. Home

The Wairarapa, having a similar latitude to Madrid in the Northern Hemisphere, enjoys a pleasant climate with long dry summers and cool clear winters. Maximum and minimum temperatures have in the past (records from 1969) reached 35.2 degrees Celsius in the summer and –6.5 ˚C in the winter, although highs of 32˚C and lows of –2˚C are more common.

New Zealand is affected by long-term weather patterns caused by temperature changes in the major southern oceans. These patterns have been termed ‘El Niño’ and ‘La Niña’, and each last around five years before switching back to the other. We are currently entering a ‘Niño’ period, typified by the more extreme weathers of hot dry summers and cold clear winters.

There is also evidence to suggest that another weather cycle exists – the Pacific Decadal Oscillation – a twenty-year cycle that can heighten or subdue the effects of El Niño and La Niña weather patterns. We appear to be entering a period that will heighten the Niño effects.

The elevation of the upper terrace of Totara Bank is around 100m above sea level. At Totara Bank the average yearly rainfall is 800mm (31 inches), half falling between the months of May and August. Dry periods are common in the summer months and relatively long spells without rain can be expected.

There are around 2100 hours of sunshine per year in the Gladstone area, (a microclimate in the Wairarapa). The Tararua mountain range that stretches along the central part of the lower North Island intercept the predominant northwesterly weather patterns from the Tasman Sea, causing high rainfall in the mountains and a rain shadow in the Wairarapa plains. Snow rarely falls on the plains, but is common on the mountains, where it can stay above 600m for many weeks.

Home