A "severe meteorological" drought has emerged in northern Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Far North, weather experts said. Stuff reported earlier this month how meteorological drought conditions had reached eastern Northland. "This Summer is drier than usual and we're seeing more areas in the North Island being affected by this," Augutis said. READ MORE:* Kiwi becoming 'climate refugees' as drought hits* Farmers' funds run dry, as drought threatens Northland* Yet another drought threatens NorthlandThe dry conditions were set to continue as well, until at least the second half of February, she said. A "huge hot spot" was now covering Auckland and Northland, Augutis said, and there was nowhere in the North Island where soil moisture levels were normal or above normal.

Source: Stuff January 30, 2020 04:07 UTC