New Zealand reports warmest recorded winter, scientists cite climate change

New Zealand has reported its warmest winter on record with scientists attributing the increase to climate change, the Associated Press reported. 

According to data from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), the average temperature in the country was 50 degrees during the months of June through August, which was 1.32C degrees higher than the average in the previous year. 

Keeping records since 1909, Scientists have recorded 10 of the countries warmest temperatures recorded in the wintertime period since 2000, according to NIWA data. 

NIWA meteorologist Nava Fedaeff said in the news release that more warm winds than from the north combined with the usual warmer sea temperatures helped contribute to the spike, according to the AP. 

She added that rising carbon dioxide concentrations help show the effect of climate change.

“These similar winters, decades apart, show us that there are key natural ingredients to getting a warm winter but adding climate change to the mix is like taking the same recipe and swapping plain flour for self-raising,” Fedaeff said. 

Fedaeff added that the rise in temperatures could lead to more serve flooding and dry spells in some areas.