Auckland's longest dry spell on record has finally broken.
Photo: Rafael Ben-Ari/Chameleons Eye/ 123rf
Rain started falling in Auckland this morning, the first time there's been more than 1mm of rain in 47 days.
Metservice meteorologist Andy Best said there was 7mm in Lincoln Park in Massey, 8.8mm in the Waitakere Ranges and 12mm at Piha this morning.
"The front is expected to move just to the east of Auckland this afternoon and then away this evening," he said.
"Just the fact that rain has fallen in excess of 1mm, making it a 'rain day' officially, doesn't mean we've had enough, by any means."
Shortly after RNZ spoke to Best, the rain started pouring even heavier than before.
Niwa tweeted that it was picking up the rainfall at its weather stations in Western Springs and Pukekohe.
47 days later, it’s finally raining! ️☔
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 21, 2020
The dry spell has ended at our stations at Western Springs and Pukekohe. This was the longest dry spell on record for any location in the Auckland region. pic.twitter.com/XlCU7hsIMl
According to Niwa's New Zealand Drought Index, severe meteorological drought is widespread across Northland, Auckland, and northern Waikato.
Weather Watch pointed out that although the rain had begun, it may be short-lived.
There will be a fair bit of media coverage about #rain today but it's important to remember the next week ahead is mostly dry. Enjoy today!
— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 21, 2020
7 day Departure from Normal Rainfall map:
Red = Drier than average
White = Normal rainfall for this time of year
Blue = Wetter than usual pic.twitter.com/cavTSj1Z7B
Meteorological drought has also emerged in northern Gisborne and northern Canterbury. Much of the rest of the country is also unusually dry, except for the western and lower South Island.
