“Climate Change Drives New Temperature Records in Winter, With Warnings of Future Impact”
New Zealand has experienced its warmest winter on record, with the average temperature for the three months up to September 2021 reaching 9.8°C. This is 1.3°C above the long-term average and surpasses the previous record set in 2020 by 0.2°C, according to New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
Meteorologists point to climate change as the primary driver behind the rising temperatures. Nava Fedaeff, a meteorologist at the institute, highlighted the combination of global warming and more frequent warm winds from the north, along with higher sea temperatures, as factors contributing to the temperature spike. Additionally, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere have risen significantly over the past five decades, further exacerbating the warming trend.
One of the noticeable effects of the warmer winter has been the reduction in snowfall at lower elevations, which has often been replaced by rain. This shift could lead to lower river levels later in the year, potentially impacting irrigation for farms. The warmer conditions have also brought more extreme weather events, including severe flooding in some areas and dry spells in others.
Experts warn that these trends are indicative of the ongoing climate crisis, underscoring the need for urgent action to mitigate future impacts on both the environment and agriculture.
