- The ocean and atmosphere are reinforcing the El Nino/ENSO state, which is affecting global weather and climate patterns.
- El Nino is causing bushfire conditions and drier weather, which the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed.
- El Niño conditions are causing weather pattern shifts and drought warnings in the South Island of New Zealand.
RAGT New Zealand warns farmers about dry conditions from El Niño
What happened
RAGT New Zealand is warning farmers that a strong El Niño is forecast to bring drier conditions to the north and east of both New Zealand islands. Sam Lucas, Forage Systems Manager at RAGT New Zealand, stated that October is the ideal window for sowing many species before the drier conditions peak in November or December.
From scoop.co.nz
Why it matters
The forecast for drier weather is part of a larger pattern shift causing drought warnings in the South Island of New Zealand. Farmers are being advised to make early decisions to mitigate the risks associated with a dry summer.
El Niño conditions are causing weather pattern shifts and drought warnings in the South Island of New Zealand.
From scoop.co.nz
Who's involved
- Sam LucasForage Systems Manager at RAGT New Zealand, advising farmers on planting timing
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Sam LucasSpeculative
Farmers might face increased costs or reduced yields if they plant late and plants suffer during the dry period.
Keep exploring
Part of
El Niño conditions are causing weather pattern shifts and drought warnings in the South Island of New Zealand.Also in this story
- Earth Sciences New Zealand advises Kiwis on reducing wildfire risk due to developing El Niño conditions.
- El Niño is expected to cause dry conditions and bring more rainfall in the South Island, according to expert assessment by Nathanael Melia of Victoria University of Wellington.
- Severe weather warnings are active across parts of the South Island, including Fiordland and Canterbury, with lakes rising rapidly due to rain.