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Story: Climate

Mean annual rainfall 1978–98 compared to 1957–77

Mean annual rainfall 1978–98 compared to 1957–77

The Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation is a natural alternation in the climate over decades. In the late 1970s there was a major change as the pattern moved from a colder phase (1957–77) to a warmer phase. From 1978 there was an increase in the rainfall in New Zealand’s south and west, and drier conditions in the north and east.

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NIWA - National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page:

Brett Mullan, Andrew Tait and Craig Thompson. 'Climate', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 2-Mar-09
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/climate/3/6