AUGUST 2014

AUGUST SUMMARY

Regional Council Science Summary

August was pretty good in most respects but fairly grim temperature-wise.

This is a summary of the region’s rainfall, groundwater, river and soil moisture levels.

Data and images provided by HBRC and MPI.

www.hbrc.govt.nz 06 835 9200

Soil Moisture

Groundwater

River Flows

Rainfall

Temperature

Below Normal Normal Above Normal

September to November ForecastTemperature Near to above averageRain Near to above normalRiver flows Near to above normalSoil moisture Near to above normal

source : NIWA

Summary information in this report reflects regional averages. Specific situations between catchments will vary. More in-depth information is available on Council’s website.

STATE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT > AUGUST 2014

TEMPERATURES

Wintry – about normal

We had some colder than usual days and about normal nights, which was about what you’d expect in winter.

Mean Difference from NormalMaximum Temperature: -0.8°CMinimum Temperature: -0.1°C

Mean Daily Maximum: 12°CMean Daily Minimum: 4°C

Highest Daily: 22°CLocation: Bridge Pa

Lowest Daily: -7.1°CLocation: Taharua

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The August RoundupCooler, overcast weather in recent weeks has resulted in feed levels becoming tight on many sheep & beef farms. This has seen the market for store stock go quiet. Relatively benign weather over the first half of winter means that stock are in good condition. Although there were occasional cold rainy periods, there have been no significant weather events. As a result, lambing seems to be going well.

The dairy season is off to a very good start although pasture covers are only fair to average. Calving went particularly well and cow condition and performance is above average. Farmers are keeping a close eye on costs in light of the forecast pay-out.

With good soil moisture levels, some warm sunshine

STATE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT > AUGUST 2014

would quickly get the spring flush of pasture growth underway.

The absence of periods of significant rain has allowed ground preparation for cropping to get underway, particularly on the Heretaunga Plains.

Apart from a mild spell at the beginning of August, cool and overcast conditions over the remainder of the month would have slowed down flowering in summerfruit. Early flowering apple varieties are showing bud break. As is usual in spring, fruit growers will be monitoring weather conditions closely for frost and pest & disease risk.

Gillian Mangin & Annette CareyMinistry for Primary Industries Policy, Ahuriri

based on 30 year average

RAINFALL

Normal

Overall, for August the rainfall across the region was spot on normal.

Percentage of normal August rainfall (30 year average) for areas in the region:

Waikaremoana 108%Northern HB 113%Tangoio 84%Kaweka 112%Ruahine 130%Heretaunga Plains 100%Ruataniwha Plains 82%Southern HB 78%Hawke’s Bay region 101%

Above normal

Below normal

May 2014 July 2014June 2014

August 2014

STATE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT > AUGUST 2014

RIVER FLOWS

Near to above normalThe region averaged 91% of normal river flows. Percentage of normal August flows for areas in the region:

Northern Coastal 166%Northern HB 90%Mohaka 110%Central Coastal 84%Tūtaekuri 82%Heretaunga Plains 58%Ngaruroro-Upper 93%Ngaruroro-Lower 84%Southern Coastal 74%Ruataniwha Plains 109%Tukituki 65%Southern HB 76%

August 2014- river flows show

percentage of average

July 2014June 2014

STATE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT > AUGUST 2014

Groundwater Level

GROUNDWATER + SOIL

GROUNDWATER LEVELSHeretaunga basinMostly normal to below normal water levels

Ruataniwha basinMostly normal to below normal water levels

Secondary basinsMostly normal to below normal water levels

SOIL MOISTURELargely unchanged from this time last month(compared to last 5 years).

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AIR QUALITY MONITORING

Actually, brilliant.

A great air quality season through winter. No exceedences in July or August, so just the 7 in June.

The National Environment Standard (NES) for particulate matter (PM10) is any recording above 50 micrograms per cubic metre using a 24 hour average.

The monitoring sites are at: 2014 TOTALS

• Marewa Park - Napier airshed 1• St Johns College - Hastings airshed 5 • Waitangi Road - Awatoto airshed 1

STATE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT > AUGUST 2014