28 days of rain: Auckland hits unwanted rain record yet again

Auckland has just matched its record for the most rain days in a single month - or at least it seems that way.

Heavy rain in parts of the city this morning meant at least 0.1mm or more had now fallen within the city on at least 28 days in August.

August 19 appears to be Auckland's only rain-free day so far this month.

The miserable milestone means Auckland has now had two record months in a row after there was also 28 days of rain in July - a feat of Mother Nature that broke an earlier record dating back 10 years.

That previous rainiest month had been in August 2010 with 27 rain days.

The proof of how rainy this August has been comes from a look at the MetService website's rainfall records from the forecaster's three weather stations at Whangaparaoa, Whenuapai and Auckland Airport.

Setting up for a dry weekend (but then wet mid-late next week). This chart shows the chance of rain this weekend, and it looks dry! Mid next week a low from the north brings rain, especially to the north. https://t.co/KKFsdOY6Gr ^TA pic.twitter.com/GwJJY2M0Lc

— MetService (@MetService) August 29, 2019

These showed at least 0.1mm of rain had fallen on at least one of the stations every day this month, except August 19.

The question now is can August go one better than last month?

If just one of the next two days has rain, then August will claim a new rainy record outright.

And with rain tipped for tomorrow, chances are the record will be broken. Doesn't that make you feel bright with joy.

Luckily, it's not all bad news as Auckland can expect fine spells and isolated showers today and a top of 15C today.

Rain is tipped for tomorrow, then the weather largely turns fine on the weekend.

A warm and fiery start to the day in Dunners! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/FY22I75Cgn

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 28, 2019

However, looking ahead, September is then expected to get wild.

Fellow forecaster National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research is terming it a September to Remember as a "sudden stratospheric warming" event peaks over Antarctica tomorrow, leading to unsettled weather in the first or second week of spring.

Today is a busy day at NIWA as we compile our climate outlook for spring 🌱

Heads up, September is looking like it could be a particularly bumpy month! pic.twitter.com/vZmVEGxaDz

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 27, 2019

MetService is tipping rain in Auckland every day next week.

Yet while Auckland has had above average rainfall this month, the volume of rainfall was not a record.

City water supplier Watercare said Auckland's added rainfall had replenished city dams in the Waitakere Ranges, which were "in a good position" heading into spring.

However, the Waitakere dams were very small compared to those in the Hunua Ranges, representing only about 18 per cent of the city's total water storage capacity.

"Our dams in the Hunua Ranges take a lot longer to replenish after an extended dry period," a Watercare spokeswoman said.

"As a result, the total water storage is currently 77.8 per cent compared with an historical average of 90 per cent for this time of year."

It's a mild, spring-like day across Canterbury 🌤️

NZ's warm spots as of midday Thursday:

1️⃣ Hanmer Forest 18.2˚C
2️⃣ Windsor 17.3˚C
3️⃣ Waipara West 16.8˚C pic.twitter.com/wJiF29UQty

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 29, 2019

She said this meant Watercare was maximising production from its Waikato, Onehunga and Huia water treatment plants in order to reduce demand from the Hunua dams.

Elsewhere around New Zealand, Hamilton can expect a top of 15C with the odd shower today and tomorrow before clearing up for the weekend.

Wellington, meanwhile, is showing Auckland how to enjoy the end of winter and start of spring with a top of 14C today and fine weather stretching into the start of next week before rain hits from Tuesday.

In the South Island, Christchurch can expect a top of 17C with showers today before a run of fine weather over the weekend.

A cold front is also tipped to move in from the south today making snow down to 500m possible in the Far South.

TODAY'S FORECAST:

• Auckland: High 15C, 9C low. Fine spells and isolated showers. Westerlies.

• Whangārei: 16C, 7C. Mainly fine. Chance morning shower. Light winds.

• Hamilton: 15C, 5C. Cloudy periods, with the odd shower until evening. Westerlies.

• Tauranga: 16C, 8C. Mainly fine, but chance afternoon shower. Westerly breezes.

• Napier: 18C, 8C. Fine. Northwesterlies.

• New Plymouth: 15C, 8C. Showers easing afternoon and fine spells developing.

• Wellington: 14C, 7C. Fine with strong northwesterlies.

• Nelson: 15C, 5C. Fine. Southwesterlies, especially morning and evening.

• Christchurch: 17C, 0C. High cloud developing. A few showers possible from late afternoon

• Queenstown: 11C, 1C. Morning rain, then fine spells from midday.

• Dunedin: 12C, 6C. A period of rain from mid morning as gusty northerlies change southwest.

• Invercargill: 11C, 6C. Rain then a few showers, clearing afternoon. Showers returning in the evening.