Wettest winter in nearly 50 years as El Niño soaks the south

Murihiku Southland has gone from a drier than usual autumn to experiencing its wettest winter for more than 45 years – leaving the region soaked.

Environment Southland Principal Scientist Hydrology Chris Jenkins said following a dry start to the year through to autumn, the region has experienced winter rainfall on average 33% higher than average this year.

According to Environment Southland rainfall records, this made it the wettest winter since 1980 (62% higher than average), and the second wettest winter Southland has experienced since 1970.

“We’ve gone from very low rainfall in May to high and very high rainfall from late June onwards,” he said.

Environment Southland’s compliance manager Donna Ferguson said the recent very wet weather was proving challenging but landowners were weathering the unusual conditions reasonably well.

”We’re pleased with the good planning that has gone into winter grazing this season, with farmers making great gains in mitigating and managing environmental risks. For the vast majority of operations, buffers have been well observed and critical source areas have been left ungrazed.”

Environment Southland staff were always available to consent holders, farm managers and their teams for advice or support, she said.

“The winter grazing season ends on 30 September, and with most winter paddocks grazed, it’s important to minimise stock movement over bare earth to protect your soil and prevent sedimentation and nutrient loss.”

Some key points to keep in mind as El Niño continues to impact Southland were managing effluent levels in ponds, carefully planning cultivation and ensuring self-feeding silage stacks were managed appropriately, she said.

There are more late winter grazing tips available on the winter grazing page on the Environment Southland website.

Recent reporting by Earth Sciences New Zealand says peak El Niño conditions are most likely to occur either in late spring or early summer, with the potential for this event to have significant impacts.

It is likely to peak as one of the strongest in recent history and is already comparable to 1997.

The super El Niño system is forecast to continue to bring colder, windier, and wetter than average weather conditions that are likely to persist through spring and intensify into summer.

The Southland Rural Support Trust, DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb New Zealand Southern, Fonterra and Open Country Dairy have teams who are available to help and answer enquiries from rural communities.

Farmers can call 0800 76 88 45 to talk to a land sustainability officer.

Information about resources and support services can be found on the Get Weather Ready page on www.es.govt.nz

Environment Southland’s rainfall data is available in real-time on its envdata.es.govt.nz website.