More rainfall needed to improve dry conditions
Posted on Monday, 23 January 2012 04:17 p.m.
Despite rainfall in most parts of Southland in the past two weeks, there has not been enough to significantly alleviate the current dry spell in the region, Environment Southland Senior Environmental Technical Officer Karl Erikson said.
The rainfall that has been occurring has been deceptive in that while it has been frequent it has not translated into enough moisture to greatly improve the situation, he said.
“People look out the window and see it’s raining, but as an example Invercargill has had just 6.5mm of rain in the last four days which will have minimal effect.”
There were similar totals recorded in other parts of the region with just 11mm of rain in northern Southland in the last four days, 7mm in western and coastal areas and 12mm in eastern Southland.
The combination of low rainfall and high evapotranspiration levels have also meant that moisture has had little opportunity to soak into soils, Mr Erikson said.
The only exceptions to the trend have been the Hokonui Hills and the Waikaia regions where there have been 28mm of rain since Friday, he said.
The region’s arterial rivers, the Mataura, Oreti and Aparima were also all still below the annual averages for this time of year, Mr Erikson said.
Most in need of rainfall was western Southland that has all but missed out on the wet weather that has reached other parts of the region, he said.
Council staff would continue to monitor the situation and await the predicted arrival of another wet front during the next few days.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.