NZ’s sodden January explained: what’s driven this month’s big wet?

NZ’s sodden January explained: what’s driven this month’s big wet?

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty ImagesIt has been a month of umbrellas rather than sunscreen across much of New Zealand, with persistent rain, low sunshine and deadly storms dominating headlines and daily life. For many people, it has felt like midsummer never really arrived. Is it simply bad luck, or is there something more going on? As with most aspects of our climate and weather, the answer isn’t straightforward. It reflects the interplay between…