New Zealand's Christchurch Named Driest City in 2013, Extreme Weather Due to Warming Planet

New Zealand has experienced one of its warmest years on record in 2013 with Christchurch declared the driest city of the year. Based on data from the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), 2013 was the third hottest year since records began with an average temperature of 0.8 degrees Celsius more than the average figure from 1971 to 2000.

According to climate scientists, temperatures will continue to rise due to the continuous warming of the Earth. Masterton recorded a temperature of 33 degrees on Feb. 2 while New Plymouth experienced 30.6 degrees. 2013 was also the year New Zealanders had their warmest winter.

Lead scientist Mike Revell remarked that 2013 was one of the three years the mean temperatures in New Zealand were at their highest. The other two warmest years recorded were 1998 and 1999. Mr Revell said the fact that the three warmest temperatures were observed in the last 15 years means the planet is "warming up."

2013 had been a year of extreme weather events for New Zealand. From January to April, the country dealt with a drought that baffled farmers because of changing weather patterns. According to NIWA, the drought in 2013 was one of the most extreme as it affected most of North Island and some parts of western South Island.

At the end of 2013, the soil was drier than usual across Northern Island most significantly in Waikato, Central Plateau and areas in the Tararua Range.

Temperature anomalies were observed in some parts of Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Banks Peninsula and the western Southland areas.

Christchurch reported "the driest city"

NIWA's annual climate summary declared Christchurch as the driest city in New Zealand in 2013. Auckland was the warmest city and Tauranga the sunniest city in the country. Wellington was reported the wettest city in 2013.

New Zealanders urged to help victims of Cyclone Ian

Year 2014 has just begun but a cyclone has already claimed a life in Tonga. Cyclone Ian displaced 2,000 residents in Tonga, leaving the northern part of the Ha'apai Islands with the most damage to power, telecommunications, water supplies and housing.

The New Zealand government has set aside $50,000 to assist the Tongan government in its efforts to provide aid to the victims. A charity has pledged $40,000 and called on the people to donate what they can.

Unicef New Zealand is also calling for donations while Oxfam prepares to send personnel to assess the extent of damage.