Story: Water resources

High intensity rainfall map

High intensity rainfall map

This map shows the maximum amount of rain that is likely to fall in any 24 hours over a 100 year period. The Canterbury Plains near Timaru are particularly dry. There, an average 1-in-100 year rainfall event would be 100–150 millimetres in 24 hours. By contrast, in the very rainy Hokitika catchment (dark blue) an average 1-in-100 year rainfall event would be 800 millimetres in 24 hours.

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Source: NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page:

Mike Scarsbrook and Charles Pearson, 'Water resources - The hydrological cycle', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/diagram/18155/high-intensity-rainfall-map (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Mike Scarsbrook and Charles Pearson, published 24 Nov 2008