Describe the Broad Pattern of Climate in New Zealand and Explain the Main Factors That Influence the Pattern of Climate.

1136 Words5 Pages
New Zealand’s climate is a maritime temperate climate. Our climate varies from warm subtropical weather during summer in the far north, to cold temperate climates in the far south. New Zealand is built up of many mountains/high hills, so therefore these landforms have a great impact and effect the climate of surrounding places in New Zealand. We have a predominant warm north, dry east, cold south, and a wet west. These conditions and the broad pattern of climate are influenced by the factors sunshine, temperature, wind and precipitation/rainfall. New Zealand has warm temperatures, reasonably high rainfall, and throughout most of the country there are many hours of sunshine. Sunshine or solar radiation brings heat, light and many other electromagnetic rays that are compulsory for life on Earth. The amount of sunshine that any place receives depends on: the time of the day, the time of the year, the atmospheric conditions and the height above sea level. Northern parts of New Zealand are closer to the tropical zone, therefore they get more solar radiation, which then creates a sub-tropical climate. On the other hand, the southern regions are closer to the South Pole therefore they do not get as much solar radiation as the northern regions, and they receive cooler temperatures. In areas that are sheltered from the west regions, sunshine hours are usually high, and the majority of New Zealand would have at least 2000 hours each year. The sunniest areas in New Zealand are Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Marlborough, in which they receive over 2350 hours of sunshine per year. In northern New Zealand and in high mountainous areas, the midday UVI (summer solar radiation index) is often very extreme and very high in most places. UVI values can be high in most areas during autumn and spring. New Zealand has a largely temperature climate. The far north receives
Open Document