Below-average temperatures have region on the grow-slow

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Cooler weather is putting the brakes on a a good start to the region’s growing season.

Air and ground temperatures are still below normal and this slows grass and seedling growth.

At the moment, daytime highs are running almost half a degree below normal for the time of year (18.7 degrees versus the 30-year mean of 19.1). Night temperatures have also been cooler at 8.6 degrees versus the 30-year mean of 9.0.

At the same time, soil moisture levels on the Gisborne Flats and surrounding country are still at field capacity.

The combined cooling effect of wet soil and lower air temperatures means soils are slower to warm up and help plant growth.

Daily climate maps from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) show coastal temperatures from Gisborne and the East Cape are down by half a degree, while the inland hill country is down by 0.8 of a degree.

North-west winds are dominating but not heating up as usual.

Sunshine hours are trending up at 115 percent of normal and as much as 125 percent of normal at the very top of East Cape.

The lack of the usual warming may be attributed to sea temperatures off the East Coast, which are running at about 14.4 degrees  — 0.6 of a degree cooler than the 15.1 average for the time of year.

For swimmers, this means it is still a little on the chilly side and a wetsuit is still advisable for those spending any time in the water.