2000

Tuesday 9 January 2001

Summary

A sunny and slightly warmer than normal year Very wet in Canterbury and Otago More anticyclones but many extreme events

The first year of the 21st century produced a wide variety of climate extremes and the second warmest winter since records began in the mid 1850s, according to a review of annual statistics by NIWA (the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research). Unusually high sunshine hours occurred in Taranaki.

The year 2000 featured many new climate records and extremes, with summer–early autumn drought, contrasting with 15 high-rainfall events producing floods in most other months. Two notable heatwaves occurred, and six cold snaps, five with snow. Three tornadoes were reported, and 11 high-wind events all caused property damage. Severe hailstorms occurred on three separate occasions.

More anticyclones than normal occurred east of New Zealand, resulting in more easterlies over the north of the North Island and northwesterlies over the far south. Analyses of month-by-month records for the year compared with recorded statistics for previous years show:

• The year’s national average temperature was 12.7°C (0.2°C above the 1961–1990 normal).
• The highest recorded annual mean temperature for the year was 16.0°C recorded at Whangarei.
• The highest extreme temperature for the year was 35.0°C recorded at both Darfield and Culverden on 4 March and the lowest -12.4°C at Tekapo on the morning of 24 August.
• The winter was the second warmest on record since reliable measurements were established in the 1850s. The national average winter temperature of 9.1°C was up 0.9°C on the 1961 to 1990 normal.
• The driest recorded centre was Alexandra, with only 475 mm of rain for the year.
• The wettest recorded location was Milford Sound, with an annual total of 7019 mm.
• Christchurch was the driest main centre with 706 mm and Auckland the wettest with 1046 mm. Wellington received 994 mm and Dunedin 926 mm.
• The capital was again the sunniest of the three largest centres with 2172 sunshine hours, followed by Christchurch (2141 hours), and Auckland (1952 hours).
• Nelson was the sunniest centre in 2000 with 2534 hours, followed by Blenheim with 2447 hours and Tauranga with 2347 hours.
• New Plymouth’s 2334 hours of sunshine was the highest in the area since 1943.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Jim Salinger – Principal Scientist, Climate NIWA National Climate Centre – Auckland Phone +64 9 375 2053 [email protected]

Stuart Burgess – Climatologist NIWA National Climate Centre – Wellington Phone +64 4 386 0569 [email protected]

Geoff Baird – Communications Manager Phone +64 4 386 0543 [email protected]

Acknowledgement of NIWA as the source is required.

For more details read on

2000 – a sunny and slightly warmer year Late summer drought Very wet in Canterbury and Otago

“The year started during a moderate La Niña event, which continued through autumn, and weakened in winter and early spring. During late November/early December there was a brief resurgence. The La Niña originated during 1998 in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, with a pool of much cooler than normal ocean water” said Dr Jim Salinger, a senior climate scientist with NIWA. “Its effect on the year 2000 climate began early, with drought during late summer. However, as the year progressed, the warm seas around New Zealand and more frequent northeasterlies during winter, had more influence on our climate in year 2000.

“Substantial rainfall occurred in April, ending the drought. For the remainder of the year it was very much wetter than average in Canterbury, Otago, and the southwest tip of the South Island.” In these areas rainfall for the year was 110 to 135 percent of normal. Rainfall was below average, being about 80 percent of normal in parts of Northland, Coromandel, Gisborne, Taupo, Wellington and Marlborough. Many other areas received near average to slightly below average for the year as a whole.

“It was a sunnier than average year in many areas, but especially in Taranaki and Southland. Sunshine hours were near average in the northeast of the North Island.

“2000 was yet another spectacular year in our climatic history, with many new records and climate extremes established”, said Dr Salinger. “We saw new records of extreme temperature and high rainfall, as well as late summer–early autumn drought. The three months May to July were very much warmer than normal, with the winter being extremely mild. There were at least 15 flood-producing events spread throughout the year. A severe southerly windstorm buffeted Banks Peninsula during mid–October, and there were three tornado events reported. There were also three severe hailstorms, two with golf ball-size hailstones reported.

“There were more anticyclones than normal to the east of New Zealand during 2000. These produced more easterlies over the north of the North Island, and northwesterlies over the far south.”

Very sunny in Taranaki and Southland

“2000 was a year when higher than normal sunshine was recorded in many areas, but particularly in Taranaki and Southland, with hours about 110 percent of normal. It was the sunniest year since 1943 in New Plymouth. Sunshine was about 105 percent of normal in western Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, and much of the South Island. Near average sunshine hours occurred in most other regions”.

Extremes of annual sunshine for the year 2000 were measured at:

Location	2000 sunshine (hours)	Percentage of normal	Year records began	Comments
Whakatane Airport	2130	92	1957	2nd lowest
New Plymouth Airport	2334	108	1973	Highest on record at the airport. Highest in the New Plymouth area since 1943.

“Nelson was the sunniest centre in 2000, recording 2534 hours, followed by Blenheim with 2447 hours, and then Tauranga with 2347 hours. Of the three largest centres, Wellington was the sunniest with 2172 hours, and then Christchurch with 2141 hours”.

Total sunshine hours for the year 2000 in selected main centres were:

Location	2000 Sunshine (hours)	Normal (hours)	Departure from normal	Comments
Auckland	1952	2043	-91	Below average
Wellington	2172	2048	+124	Above average
Christchurch	2141	2057	+84	Above average
Dunedin	Not available	1613
Invercargill	1767	1565	+202	Well above average

A little warmer overall

“The national average temperature, calculated by NIWA, was 12.7°C, which was 0.2°C above normal” said Dr Salinger. “For New Zealand as a whole, there were four warmer than average months, and three cooler than average months. Mean temperatures for the year were about 0.5°C or more above average in Auckland and Bay of Plenty, and between 0 and 0.4°C above average in most other regions. The warmest centre was Whangarei, with a mean temperature for the year of 16.0°C”.

The May through July period was very much warmer than average. Warmer than normal sea surface temperatures persisted throughout the year in the central and north Tasman Sea, contributing to these conditions.

The highest extreme temperature for the year was 35.0°C recorded at both Darfield and Culverden in very hot northwesterly conditions on 4 March. The lowest recorded temperature for the year was -12.4°C, measured at Tekapo on the morning of 24 August.

Very wet in Canterbury and Otago

“NIWA figures show it was one of the wettest years since records began in some areas of coastal Otago. It was also a much wetter than usual year in other parts Otago, Canterbury, and the southwest tip of the South Island, with rainfall at least 125 percent above normal. Drier than normal areas occurred in parts of Northland, Coromandel, Taupo and Wellington. Most other New Zealand regions recorded near or slightly below normal rainfall.

“The Canterbury and Otago totals were the result of several high rainfall events, rather than one single event throughout the year”, said Dr Salinger.

Extremes of annual rainfall for the year 2000 were measured at:

Location	2000 rainfall (mm)	Percentage of normal	Year records began	Comments
Dunedin Airport	897	136	1963	2nd highest

* In this table, and throughout this report ‘normal’ refers to the 1961–1990 average

“Of the four main centres, Christchurch was the driest with 706 mm, and Auckland was the wettest with 1046mm. Wellington received 994 mm, and Dunedin 926 mm. Alexandra in Central Otago was the driest location NIWA measured in New Zealand, with only 475 mm,” said Dr Salinger. “The wettest location in 2000, for which rainfall data are presently available, is Milford Sound, with a total of 7019 mm.”

Significant weather events – 2000

Unusually warm months

At least four months of the year had unusually warm temperatures (the national average temperature being in the top ten, since reliable records began in 1850s.) Extremely high monthly mean temperatures were recorded at:

Location	Mean temperature (°C)	Departure from normal (°C)	Year records began	Comments
May
Owairaka	15.2	+1.9	1949	2nd equal highest
Auckland Airport	14.9	+1.6	1963	2nd highest
Hamilton Airport	12.9	+1.9	1971	Highest
Appleby	11.9	+1.5	1932	3rd highest
Queenstown	9.5	+2.2	1872	2nd highest
Invercargill Airport	9.2	+1.5	1949	2nd highest
June
Winchmore	8.0	+2.2	1950	Highest
Lincoln	8.2	+2.1	1881	2nd highest
Timaru Airport	6.9	+1.5	1962	2nd highest
Dunedin Airport	7.3	+2.0	1963	Highest
Invercargill Airport	7.1	+1.5	1948	Equal highest
Chatham Is.	10.7	+2.0	1878	Highest
July
Kerikeri	13.4	+2.1	1935	Highest
Whangarei Airport	13.5	+2.5	1968	2nd highest
Owairaka	13.2	+2.7	1949	2nd highest
Paeroa	12.3	+3.1	1914	2nd highest
Waihi	11.4	+2.4	1928	2nd highest
Tauranga Airport	12.5	+2.9	1913	Highest
Whakatane Airport	11.3	+2.8	1974	2nd highest
Rotorua Airport	9.8	+2.3	1964	2nd highest
Auckland Airport	13.0	+2.5	1853	2nd highest
Ruakura	10.7	+2.1	1921	2nd highest
Hamilton Airport	11.5	+3.4	1971	Highest
Taumarunui	9.4	+2.1	1947	2nd highest
New Plymouth Airport	11.2	+1.9	1944	2nd highest
Turangi	8.5	+2.3	1968	2nd highest
Gisborne Airport	11.6	+2.5	1937	2nd highest
Napier	11.6	+2.5	1870	Equal highest
Palmerston Nth. Airport	10.0	+2.0	1962	2nd highest
Kelburn, Wellington	10.5	+2.0	1864	2nd highest
Farewell Spit	11.7	+2.8	1971	Highest
Westport Airport	10.6	+2.1	1937	Highest
Hokitika Airport	9.2	+1.9	1867	Highest
Nelson Airport	9.2	+2.5	1943	2nd highest
Winchmore	7.4	+2.0	1949	Highest
Christchurch	8.4	+2.1	1864	Highest
Lincoln	7.9	+2.0	1881	Highest
Akaroa	9.2	+2.0	1978	Highest
Campbell Island	6.4	+1.5	1941	Highest
December
Tauranga Airport	18.9	+1.5	1913	3rd highest
Napier	19.7	+1.9	1905	2nd highest
Nelson Airport	17.9	+1.7	1943	Equal highest
Blenheim	18.7	+1.9	1932	2nd highest
Winchmore	16.6	+1.7	1949	2nd equal highest
Dunedin Airport	15.7	+1.9	1962	Highest

• March Extremely high temperatures The highest air temperature for the month was 35.0°C, recorded at both Darfield and Culverden on the 4th. These are new records for March at both sites. Records at Darfield began in 1939. The highest March temperature for New Zealand is 36.0°C, recorded at Ashburton in 1956 and Clyde in 1976.
• May 7th warmest on record The month was exceptionally warm, being the 7th warmest May on record since measurements began in 1853. The national average temperature was 11.6°C, 1.1°C above the 1961–1990 average. It was particularly warm in Auckland, Waikato, Nelson, Fiordland, Southland, and Central Otago, where mean temperatures were at least 1.5°C above normal. Unusually high temperatures were recorded on 1 May at:

  Location	Max. temp. (°C)	Year records began	Comments
  Culverden	25.0	1983	Highest
  Dunedin Airport	24.3	1963	2nd highest
  Dunedin, Musselburgh	23.4	1947	3rd highest
  Alexandra	23.1	1929	2nd equal highest

• June 6th warmest on record June was another warmer than usual month over much of New Zealand. The national average temperature of 9.3°C (1.0°C above normal) was the 6th highest for June since observations began in 1853. The month was particularly warm in the South Island, especially in the east, despite cold southerlies during the first two weeks. Parts of Canterbury, Southland, and coastal Otago experienced extremely high mean June temperatures, as much as 2.0°C above normal. It was also extremely warm for June in the Chatham Islands.
• July 2nd warmest on record It was very much warmer than usual over most of New Zealand. Mean temperatures were as much as 3.0°C above normal in parts of the North Island and northern half of the South Island. The national average temperature was 9.3°C, 1.6°C above the 1961–1990 average; the 2nd warmest for July since observations began in the 1850s. The only warmer July was 1998 (9.6°C). Mean temperatures were at least 1.5°C above normal over most of the North Island, and northern South Island. There were extensive areas at least 2.5°C above normal in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The highest air temperature for the month was 22.3°C, recorded at Kaikoura on the 27th, its highest July air temperature since records began in 1964. A maximum of 19.0°C was measured at Paraparaumu Airport on the 20th; its highest July temperature since measurements began in 1953.
• December 8th warmest on record The national average temperature was 16.9°C. This was 1.3°C above the 1961–1990 normal, making this the 8th warmest December since reliable measurements commenced in the early 1850s. Heatwaves occurred on a few occasions, and resulted in mean temperatures almost 2°C above normal for December in a few areas. Severe grass fires, cited as the worst in the area in European history, devastated about 7000 ha of grassland in the Wither Hills/Awatere Valley area near Blenheim from the 26th through 28th. These occurred during strong, hot and very dry northwesterlies and temperatures of near 30°C fanned the flames over the tinder dry region. Estimates of between 2000–4000 sheep and 100 cattle were lost due to the fires.

Low temperatures and snowfall

There were a few cold snaps and snow events early in the year, as well as some larger ones between June and September; the 11–13 June event being the most widespread.

• 3 & 26 January Cold southerlies occurred on the 3rd, with unseasonable snowfalls to 800 metres in the Otago high-country. Snowfall to a depth of 30cm was measured at Coronet Peak. Temperatures dropped to -0.9°C at Invercargill Airport during the morning of the 26th. This was the lowest recorded in the Invercargill area in January since measurements began in 1905. The grass minimum at the airport was -6.2°C (the lowest recorded in January since measurements began in 1911).
• 13–14 March Snow fell on the mountains around Queenstown on the 13th, with up to 6cm at Coronet Peak, and 15cm in the Remarkables ski area. Frosts followed, with air temperatures plunging to -5.5°C at Manapouri Airport during the morning of the 14th. This is a new record low air temperature for March at Manapouri, where records began in 1962.
• 25 April A cold snap followed on the 25th, with snow on the Desert Road, and snow to a depth of 10cm recorded at the base of the Turoa skifield.
• 11–13 June Very cold southerlies affected the country over the 11th to 13th, with high winds, lightning and snow to sea level in many eastern South Island regions. Snowfall closed the North Island's Desert Road on the 12th. Queenstown schools were closed, as snow 10cm deep blocked roads. Snow to 20cm depth was reported in Arrowtown. Most South Island high-country passes were closed. Snow depths to 30cm were measured at the summit of the Napier–Taupo highway. The heavy snowfall was welcome on both South and North Island ski-fields. Ice created problems for motorists when light snow occurred on the summit of the Rimutaka Hill road, north of Wellington.
• 18–19 August Snowfall was extensive in inland south Canterbury, with depths of 35 cm at Tekapo and Burkes Pass.
• 25–26 September Snow occurred on higher ground in Hawke's Bay in cold southerly conditions over 25–26 September as a developing depression tracked across the North Island from the Tasman Sea. The Desert Road and the Taupo–Napier highway were closed by 20 cm of snow and ice, and a number of trampers and travellers were isolated by the weather. Snow to a depth of 15 to 40 cm occurred in the Hawke's Bay high country.
• November Coldest in more than 50 years November for many was even cooler than October. The national average temperature was 12.1°C, 1.7°C below the 1961–1990 normal, making this the coldest November since 1946. Mean temperatures were at least 2.0–C below average in the central and eastern North Island, as well as most eastern South Island regions, and at least 1.0–C below average in most other regions. Extremely low November mean temperatures were recorded at:

  Location	November mean temperature(°C)	Departure from normal (°C)	Year records began	Comments
  Rotorua Airport	12.3	-2.0	1886	2nd lowest
  Taumarunui	12.7	-2.2	1947	2nd lowest
  Gisborne Airport	13.7	-2.1	1905	2nd equal lowest
  Whakatu	12.5	-3.0	1905	2nd equal lowest
  Paraparaumu Airport	12.2	-1.8	1953	Equal lowest
  Levin	12.1	-2.1	1895	2nd equal lowest
  Blenheim Airport	12.1	-2.3	1941	2nd equal lowest
  Hanmer Forest	9.3	-3.0	1906	2nd lowest
  Kaikoura	10.9	-2.4	1964	2nd lowest
  Christchurch Airport	10.4	-3.4	1954	Lowest
  Lincoln	10.7	-2.6	1881	3rd lowest
  Akaroa, Rue Lavaud	11.7	-2.7	1978	Lowest
  Timaru Airport	10.2	-2.4	1906	2nd lowest
  Tara Hills	9.8	-2.1	1950	2nd lowest
  Dunedin, Musselburgh	9.9	-2.6	1853	3rd lowest
  Lauder	10.1	-3.0	1925	2nd Lowest

• 20 November Unseasonably late snow and frosts Unseasonably cold southerlies brought snow flurries to low levels in the south of the South Island on the 18th and 19th, and hail to coastal Southland on most days between the 14th and 24th. Extremely late frosts occurred in Hawke's Bay on 20th November, destroying developing grapes in several vineyards in the area, as well as damaging some early squash, maize, pea and tomato crops. A -0.8°C air frost and -3.5°C ground frost were recorded at Lawn Road, Whakatu. This was the first November air frost recorded at this site and the lowest November grass minimum temperature there since measurements began in 1982. Information from other (now closed) Hastings recording sites suggest that these may have been the first November frosts to affect the area since the 1930s.

Drought and record low monthly rainfall

The year began with above average rainfall in many regions, which produced temporary alleviation from any serious soil moisture deficits in Canterbury and Otago areas previously affected by agricultural drought in the later part of 1999. However, February was an extremely dry month over much of the North Island with no rainfall at all in some areas of Hawke's Bay. Many North Island regions recorded less than a quarter of their normal rainfall. Rainfall was also below normal in the north and east of the South Island. The lack of rainfall produced severe soil moisture deficits in the Heretaunga Plains in Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Canterbury, and north and Central Otago, with soils drying out in Auckland, the Hauraki Plains, Bay of Plenty, and Manawatu. April's rainfall was plentiful over much of the country, recharging soil moisture levels in at risk agricultural regions. High soil moisture deficits became apparent again in Marlborough, inland Canterbury and Otago in December.

Record low monthly rainfall

Some locations measured extraordinary low rainfall at various times during the year. These were:

Location	Rainfall (mm)	Percent of normal	Year records began	Comments
February
Auckland	8	10	1963	Lowest
Ruakura	5	7	1906	Lowest
Hamilton	8	10	1936	3rd lowest
Paeroa	8	9	1914	2nd lowest
Te Puke	16	14	1973	Lowest
Rotorua	4	4	1964	Lowest
Taupo	1	1	1958	Lowest
Turangi	4	4	1968	2nd lowest
Hastings	Nil	0	1892	Equal lowest
June
Gisborne Airport	24	19	1906	2nd lowest
July
Paraparaumu Airport	26	24	1945	Lowest
Kelburn	34	24	1862	3rd lowest
Lincoln	11	15	1881	4th lowest
August
Whakatu	16	28	1983	Lowest
September
Whangarei	37	30	1937	2nd lowest
October
Dargaville	20	23	1943	Lowest
Gisborne Airport	6	10	1905	Lowest
Napier Airport	7	13	1950	Lowest
November
Tara Hills	6	21	1949	Lowest
December
Kaikoura	16	29	1949	3rd equal lowest

Tropical depressions

Three depressions of tropical origin brushed the country. However, none were remnant tropical cyclones. These brought high rainfall to the north and east of the North Island on both 1 March and 9 April, and the north and west of the North Island over 11–13 May.

Floods and high rainfall

There were at least 15 high-rainfall/flood producing events during 2000. These were most frequent in the North Island. The most significant episodes are listed below.

• 29–31 January Central New Zealand Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms lashed the north and west of the South Island and south of the North Island between the 29th and 31st. Rainfall totals exceeded 100 mm on the 29th in parts of Buller, Westland and the Marlborough Sounds.
• 1 March Northern and eastern North Island High rainfall occurred throughout Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, and Gisborne on the 1st, with totals as high as 95 mm at Waihi.
• 13 March Eastern South Island Further significant rainfall occurred along the Marlborough coast and throughout Canterbury and coastal Otago on the 13th, with totals between 70 and 100 mm at many locations. Cape Campbell recorded 112 mm (with 29 mm in an hour at the peak of the event). Surface flooding occurred in parts of Dunedin.
• 9–10 April Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and northern Hawke's Bay Heavy rainfall occurred throughout eastern Coromandel and Bay of Plenty on the 9th. Extremely high falls were measured at Tauranga Airport with a total of 166 mm in just eight hours from 3pm through 11pm, and 51 mm in the hour to 8pm. Severe surface flooding occurred in parts of the city. Rainfall of over 100 mm in 24 hours affected areas about and south of Wairoa on the 10th, with further flooding there.
• 11 & 13 May Northland and south Taranaki High rainfall occurred in Northland on the 11th, with 113 mm measured at Kerikeri and 114 mm at Kaikohe. Further high rainfall occurred in south Taranaki on the 13th, with 114 mm measured at Normanby.
• 4 June Hutt Valley Surface flooding occurred in the Hutt Valley with rainfalls as much as 70mm on the 4th.
• 28–29 June Northern North Island High rainfall and widespread surface flooding occurred in Northland, Auckland, and Coromandel on the 28th and 29th. Many sites recorded rainfall ranging between 75 and 120 mm. Emergency services had to cope with thousands of calls for assistance.
• 2–4 July Northern North Island High rainfall and widespread surface flooding occurred throughout Coromandel on the 2nd, with many places recording at least 100 mm for the 24 hours to 9am on the 3rd. A large slip blocked State Highway 25 near Te Kouma. The same weather system produced strong easterly winds over the next few days. The combination of wind, and high rainfall, as well as king tides resulted in heavy seas that threatened beach homes in exposed northern and eastern North Island areas. Floodwaters were about 20 cm deep in parts of Whangarei on the 4th.
• 18 August Canterbury High rainfall and surface flooding occurred throughout Canterbury on the 18th, with many places recording rainfall totals of at least 100 mm, for the 24 hours to 9am on the 19th. Reports of 220 mm in 36 hours were noted at Cheviot. The Selwyn River had its highest flow since records began in 1961, swamping surrounding farmland. The Hurunui River was also in high flood. Many roads were closed. Snowfall was extensive in inland south Canterbury, with depths of 35 cm at Tekapo and Burkes Pass. Extremely high August 1-day rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours to 9am on the 19th at:

  Location	August rainfall (mm)	Percentage of normal	Year records began	Comments
  Winchmore	237	328	1947	Highest
  Ashburton	238	384	1909	Highest
  Timaru Airport	194	480	1898	Highest calendar month ever
  Dunedin, Musselburgh	134	229	1918	2nd highest
  Dunedin Airport	105	232	1963	2nd highest

• 1–3 October Central North Island Heavy rainfall occurred over the central North Island with widespread surface flooding and many road closures, particularly in the Wairarapa Valley. A bridge near Otaki was seriously damaged by floodwaters, and the Waipoua River burst its banks north of Masterton, flooding surrounding farms and low-lying areas. The Manawatu River was also very high, with extensive surface flooding in the region. The 72 hour rainfall in the Tararuas totalled more than 750 mm. One house in Eketahuna was evacuated. Surface flooding and slips also occurred in Taranaki and King Country. Some surface flooding also occurred further south in the Queenstown area.
• 10 October Central North Island Further high rainfall (300 mm in the Tararuas) resulted in further flooding in Eketahuna.
• 12–13 October Banks Peninsula Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, and the Kaikoura Coast felt the effects of a severe southerly storm on 12 October, with damage to road and bridges, running to damage in millions of dollars. In Christchurch flooding (waist deep in places) closed roads. Emergency services were on full alert and the army was called out as some low-lying homes in the southeast of Christchurch were evacuated. Floodwaters made roads look like lakes in the Redcliffs-Sumner area. Rainfall in the city totalled 70 mm for the 48 hours to 9am on the 13th.
• 4–5 November Whangarei High rainfall with surface flooding occurred in eastern Northland, especially about Whangarei, where rainfall totalled 202 mm in the 48 hours to 9 am on the 5th. Rainfall totalled at least 100 mm for the same period in many other eastern Northland locations.
• 8 December Rotorua Severe thunderstorms occurred over Rotorua during the early morning, with spectacular lighting for 3 hours, along with localized heavy rainfall and surface flooding. Rainfall totalling 150 mm was measured on a farm at Lake Rotoiti (in the Rotorua region).
• 12 December Wairarapa A number of Masterton houses, shops and businesses were flooded during heavy rainfall during thunderstorms. Nearby, Carterton measured 70 mm.

Record high monthly rainfall

Some locations experienced extraordinary high rainfall at various times during the year. These were:

Location	Rainfall (mm)	Percent of normal	Year records began	Comments
January
Taumarunui	245	229	1914	Highest
Dunedin, Musselburgh	175	247	1918	Highest
Dunedin Airport	188	265	1963	Highest
April
Tauranga Airport	311	322	1898	4th highest
June
Farewell Spit	281	256	1874	Highest
Queenstown	176	239	1893	2nd highest
August
Winchmore	237	328	1947	Highest
Ashburton	238	384	1909	Highest
Timaru Airport	194	480	1898	Highest
Dunedin, Musselburgh	156	264	1918	Highest
Dunedin Airport	105	232	1963	2nd highest
November
Whangarei Airport	258	305	1937	Highest
Kaikoura	140	240	1949	3rd highest
Raoul Island	275	294	1937	3rd highest

Tornadoes, gales and high winds

• 13 March Buller and Otago High winds with property damage reported in coastal Buller and parts of Otago.
• 26 April Coastal Otago Hurricane force southwesterlies battered exposed parts of coastal Otago on the 26th, with mean speeds as high as 120 km/h recorded at Taiaroa Head, and gusts to 153 km/h. Some trees were toppled, damaging power lines and cutting power to about 2000 Dunedin residents. There were also reports of broken windows and a roof lifted by the wind.
• 1 June Mini tornado – Nelson Severe swirling winds battered parts of Nelson (from Stoke to Richmond) at 7.30 am on the 1st, with extensive damage at several schools. Many windows were shattered. Several cars (at the airport) were literally flung about and flying stones smashed twelve windows. A hangar door was destroyed. A dark narrow spiral was reported travelling across the region – described as a 'Texas tornado'.
• 4 June North Island High winds created 7-metre swells in Cook Strait, cancelling ferry sailings. There were reports of fallen trees in Auckland and Bay of Plenty as gale force winds affected many areas of the North Island.
• 18 June Eastern regions Gale northwesterlies occurred in Canterbury on the 18th, cutting power and damaging roofs. A few vehicles were overturned, including a 4.5 tonne truck trailer between Chertsey and Rakaia. Gales also affected the east of the North Island, with gusts to 150 km/h at Castlepoint and 117 km/h in Masterton, where a number of trees fell. Property damage was reported in Napier.
• 2–4 July Western regions High winds buffeted Taranaki, with fallen trees and roofs damaged around New Plymouth.
• 27 July Wellington Gale force northwesterlies with gusts to 146 km/h affected Wellington on the 27th, damaging roofs and power lines.
• 30 August Tornado – Bay of Islands A tornado cut a swath of damage through the Bay of Islands farmland at 5.30 a.m. on the 30th.
• 25–26 September North Island High winds from the south and southeast affected the North Island as a developing depression tracked across the North Island from the Tasman Sea. The highest gusts were 155 km/hr at Castlepoint and 135 km/hr at Mahia Peninsula. In New Plymouth windows were smashed, while southerly gales buffeted Wellington where a yacht broke its mooring. High winds also affected Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, where power lines were down, and a few houses lost their roofs and fences were damaged. Many rural Wairoa residents were without power for three days. Losses in the Wairoa region were in millions of dollars in terms of lost livestock and thousands of uprooted or damaged trees. Three people were rescued from a boat caught in high seas (with 7-m waves) 30 km northeast of Great Barrier Island on the 26th.
• 1–3 October Central North Island and Canterbury High winds battered the central North Island and winds blew part of an iron roof off a house in Dannevirke. Gales battered Canterbury on the 2nd causing damage to trees, power lines, and roofs. Crane work at the Port of Lyttelton had to be suspended for some hours.
• 9 October Mini-tornado/waterspout – Paraparaumu Winds described as those of a mini-tornado/waterspout struck a house at Paraparaumu Beach, ripping iron off both the house and garage roofs and uprooting trees and fences in the same street between 8.20 and 8.30am.
• 12–13 October Severe winds – Banks Peninsula Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, and the Kaikoura Coast felt the effects of a severe southerly storm on 12 October, with damage to roads, bridges, and roofs running to millions of dollars. There were many fallen trees in Christchurch. Emergency services were on full alert. A truck was even overturned in the wind. Broken power lines resulted in 8000 houses in mid-Canterbury and 1000 homes on Banks Peninsula being without electricity. The Lyttelton marina was totally destroyed by storm-force winds (mean winds speeds at least 89 km/h) with huge seas and 4-metre swells. Twelve boats sank, 40 others were seriously damaged. There was much debris and many fallen trees blocked roads in the area. Hurricane-force winds (having average speeds of up to 120 km/h) were measured at Le Bons Bay above Akaroa. The southerlies reached Wellington later, with 6-m swells and 160 km/h winds in Cook Strait, causing the cancellation of ferry sailings. Wind gusts to 139 km/h were measured at Baring Head on the 12th. Sea spray and debris washed over Wellington's southern coastal roads, creating difficult driving conditions for motorists. Further north, power lines blew down in Otaki, and a Waikanae house was badly damaged by a fallen tree. In New Plymouth, a methanol tanker and a yacht broke their moorings in 4-m swells. Considerable wind damage was done to asparagus crops in Hawke's Bay. In Auckland a fallen tree caused two boats to break their moorings.
• 12–13 November Wind damage Strong winds on the 20th brought down trees and ripped iron off roofs in coastal Southland, Waikato and western Bay of Plenty, where widespread damage to kiwifruit and avocado crops was reported.
• 13 December Akaroa Northeasterlies up to strong gale force broke windows at an Akaroa property during the late afternoon.

Severe or damaging hail storms

• 24 April Thundery conditions produced a severe but localised hail storm bringing traffic to a standstill for a time during the evening on the 24th on SH1 north of Wellington between Tawa and Porirua. Hailstones up to golf ball size were reported.
• 7 June An unusually heavy hailstorm (with some stones as large as golf balls) occurred over Auckland's North Shore just before 8pm on the 7th. Hail was at least ankle deep (15cm) in places. The hail closed roads and there was also surface flooding. The event was mainly confined to the Albany, Torbay, Oteha Valley and Browns Bay areas. Wind squalls and heavy hail struck Waipu about 5pm on the same evening with damage to trees.
• 28 November A severe hailstorm struck fruit growing areas of Motueka and Riwaka late on the 28th, damaging crops.

Sunshine extremes

Some locations incurred extremes of sunshine hours at various times during the year. These were:

Location	Sunshine Total (hrs)	Percent of normal	Year records began	Comments
February
Kaitaia	247	129	1951	Highest
New Plymouth Airport	254	114	1973	2nd highest
March
Gisborne Airport	130	69	1905	2nd lowest
April
New Plymouth Airport	127	73	1973	2nd lowest
May
Kaitaia	110	71	1951	3rd lowest
July
Palmerston North	167	169	1930	Highest
Paraparaumu Airport	168	138	1953	2nd highest
Kelburn	182	166	1928	Highest
Arapito	155	146	1980	Highest
September
Invercargill Airport	191	148	1932	2nd highest
November
New Plymouth Airport	254	125	1972	Highest
Gisborne Airport	166	73	1905	4th lowest
Nelson Airport	302	136	1949	2nd highest
Hokitika Airport	263	151	1964	Highest

For further information, please contact:

Dr Jim Salinger – Principal Scientist, Climate NIWA National Climate Centre – Auckland Phone +64 9 375 2053 [email protected]

Stuart Burgess – Climatologist NIWA National Climate Centre – Wellington Phone +64 4 386 0569 [email protected]

Geoff Baird – Communications Manager Phone +64 4 386 0543 [email protected]

Acknowledgement of NIWA as the source is required.