December, January, and February—summer in the Southern Hemisphere—are typically the driest months in north and central New Zealand. The 2019–2020 summer season was especially dry, leaving the entire North Island in one of the most severe droughts on record. Water shortages prompted officials to consider mandatory water restrictions. The drought’s stressing impact on plants and trees is visible in this natural-color image. The light green areas, which saw the most change, are mainly pastoral and agricultural land; darker green areas are forested. May 2, 2019.