Wellington, November 30, : The coastal sea temperatures in New Zealand have risen significantly above the average, a National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research meteorologist (NIWA), said Tuesday. Ben Noll, a meteorologist, stated that water temperatures have been ranging from 1.1 to1.4 degrees Celsius above the average for November.Daily sea surface temperatures have exceeded 3 degrees Celsius around the eastern South Island and western North Island over the past week.
In all areas of New Zealand, marine heatwave conditions have been observed when the sea temperature rises above the 90th percentile for at most five days.
This is similar to the conditions that were observed in November 2017, when there was an unprecedented marine heatwave in the country and the Tasman Sea.
“Sub-tropical, northeasterly winds are more common than usual due to La Nina’s frequent patterns of high pressure in November near and south New Zealand.The subsurface ocean water temperatures have not been mixed up due to lower wind speeds.Noll added that sunshine has been more than normal, which has helped to heat up the ocean surface.”
The frequency of marine heatwaves is increasing in warmer climates.963 days of marine heatwave were observed in New Zealand between 2010 and 2019, compared to 366 in 2000-2009.
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