Ten days into the new year, and soil moisture levels are extremely low. Shrubs and poorly established trees are showing signs of stress under the onslaught of the dry northerly winds.
Only 5 mm of rain has been recorded so far this month. The strong winds which have blown on most days since the 2nd of January have stripped moisture from the soil causing gardeners to increase irrigation on exposed sites.
After a still New Year’s day, north-westerly gales arose on the 2nd, changing to gusty westerlies early on the 3rd before returning to gale force nor’westers later in the day. The gale continued into the 4th and slowly eased to still conditions late in the day. Northerly winds arose again on the 7th and gusty conditions persisted until calmer conditions set in on the 9th and 10th.
Temperatures have reached the early 20s every day, with maximums of 25C achieved on the 2nd, 9th and 10th. Cool overnight temperatures in the early teens were recorded on the 4th, 5th and 7th.
It looks like a typically boisterous January so far in 2006.