October 2008: Sunny in the South Island, dry in east and north
- Temperature: Near average for most of the country, but below average in western South Island.
- Rainfall: Below normal in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and most of the South Island especially south Canterbury and Otago; above normal in Waikato, King Country and Manawatu.
- Sunshine: Very sunny in the South Island, especially in inland and southern parts, and near average for other areas.
Sunshine totals were well above average for most of the South Island, with Dunedin and Balclutha recording their highest October values on record. Rainfall was less than 50% of normal (half) in Otago and coastal south Canterbury and between 50 and 80% of normal in parts of northern Canterbury, West Coast, Tasman, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty and Northland. Soil moisture levels in these areas are between 10 and 30 mm lower than normal for this time of the year as at the end of October. Above normal rainfall totals (greater than 120% of normal) were received in Waikato (around 150% of normal – one and a half times – in Hamilton), King Country and Manawatu. Soil moisture in these areas is near or above normal.
October temperatures were near their average values for most of the country (between -0.5 and +0.5°C of normal). The notable exception was the West Coast of the South Island where mean temperatures in some locations were between 1.0 and 1.5°C cooler than average for October. The national average temperature of 12.1°C was average for October.
The country has now experienced two relatively ‘quiet’ months for extreme weather. There were many fewer extreme weather events during September and October compared with July and August. The most significant event in October was on the 7th, when a vigorous storm resulted in high winds (particularly in the lower North Island), heavy rainfall in parts of Taranaki and Canterbury, and late season snowfall around Queenstown.
The generally more settled weather for October resulted from more frequent ‘highs’ (anticyclones) in the Tasman Sea, extending ridges of high pressure across most of New Zealand. There were stronger than normal westerly to southwesterly winds over the country for the month, which contributed to the low rainfalls in the east.
Further Highlights
- The lowest temperature during October was recorded at Lake Tekapo on the 25th, where the minimum temperature was -6.1°C. The highest temperature during October 2008 was 28.8°C recorded at Timaru on the 28th.
- The highest 1-day rainfall was 100 mm recorded at Woodbury (South Canterbury) on the 7th (the highest 1-day total for October at this location since records began in 1973).
- The highest wind gust for the month was 170 km/hr at Southwest Cape on the 28th (not an October record for this location). On the same day Gore had a wind gust of 115 km/hr which was the highest recorded October gust since records began in 1987.
- Of the five main centres, Auckland was the warmest, Hamilton was the wettest, Christchurch was the sunniest, and Dunedin the driest.
Temperature
Mean temperatures were near average for most of the country, with the exception of the West Coast of the South Island where temperatures were between 1.0 and 1.5°C cooler than average for October.
Rainfall
October rainfall for Otago and south Canterbury was well below normal (less than 50% of normal). It was also drier than normal (between 50 and 80% of normal) in parts of northern Canterbury, West Coast, Tasman, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty and Northland. Above normal rainfall (greater than 120% of normal) for October was received in Waikato, King Country and Manawatu.
Sunshine
October totals of bright sunshine were above average (more than 110% of normal) or well above average (more than 125% of normal) for much of the South Island. Sunshine was near or slightly above average for the majority of the North Island, but slightly below average in coastal Manawatu and south Taranaki.
Full report
- Full details of the October 2008 Climate Summary
Climate statistics tables
Climate statistics October 2008
For further information, please contact:
Dr Andrew Tait – Climate Scientist NIWA National Climate Centre – Wellington Phone +64 4 386 0562 Mobile +64 27 327 7948 [email protected]
Dr Brett Mullan – Principal Scientist NIWA National Climate Centre – Wellington Phone +64 4 386 0508 [email protected]
Acknowledgement of NIWA as the source is required.