It is official. June was the warmest recorded across much of Otago.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) released its June climate summary yesterday after announcing last week Otago would equal the warmest six-month start to a year on record.
Dunedin's Musselburgh station recorded a mean air temperature of 9.0degC for June, 1.7degC above normal. It is the highest reading since records began at the station in 1947.
Likewise, Oamaru had a warm start to winter, with a mean temperature of 8.6degC, the highest since records began in 1908.
Dunedin, Ranfurly, Queenstown, Balclutha and Nugget Point all recorded their highest mean maximum temperatures for the month.
Nugget Point also had the least rainfall recorded, with just 21mm falling in June.
Niwa National Climate Centre principal scientist Chris Brandolino said last week warmer Tasman Sea temperatures, northwest winds and a warming Earth were the catalysts for what was on track to be one of the warmest years recorded.
"Much like the past several months, these factors worked in tandem to bring unusually mild temperatures,'' he said yesterday.
Niwa climate variability and change principal scientist Dr Brett Mullan said the warmer than average year was likely to continue.
