Warm and dry for most of the country
Temperature
Temperatures were well above average (>1.20°C above average) for most of the South Island. Temperatures were above average (0.51-1.20°C above average) for Nelson, Marlborough, and much of the North Island. Temperatures were generally near average (±0.50°C of average) for eastern parts of Northland, western Waikato, Gisborne, coastal Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and northern Wairarapa.
Rainfall
Rainfall was below normal (50-79% of normal) or well below normal (<50% of normal) for most of the North Island, Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, the West Coast, much of Canterbury, and southern Otago. Rainfall was above normal (120-149% of normal) or well above normal (>149% of normal) for northern and central Otago, and Milford Sound. Rainfall was near normal (80-119% of normal) for coastal parts of southern Canterbury, Dunedin, and much of Southland.
Soil moisture
At the end October, soil moisture levels were lower than normal for Northland, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, and parts of the Waikato. Soil moisture was higher than normal about Kaikōura, eastern parts of the South Island from mid Canterbury to Dunedin, and central and western parts of Otago. Near normal soil moisture levels were typical for the remainder of the country.
Overview
Mean sea level air pressure was higher than normal over and surrounding Aotearoa New Zealand. This pattern delivered prolonged periods of fine and settled weather, with relatively warm temperatures and low rainfall prevailing for most of the country. Very strong El Niño conditions were firmly established in the tropical Pacific by the end of October, having intensified during the month. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) around New Zealand were mostly near average or above average. Marine Heatwave (MHW) conditions persisted to the west and south of the South Island. MHW are defined as five or more consecutive days with SSTs above the 90th percentile for the time of year. MHW conditions also developed along parts of the east coast of the South Island and near Nelson-Tasman.
The nationwide average temperature in October 2026 was 13.3°C. This is 1.2°C above the 1991-2020 October average, making it New Zealand’s 4th-warmest October since Earth Sciences New Zealand’s seven station temperature series began in 1909. The month was particularly warm for the South Island, where temperatures were well above average (>1.20°C above average) in most regions. The exception was Nelson and Marlborough, where temperatures were above average (0.51-1.20°C above average). Temperatures were also above average for much of the North Island including Wellington, the Kāpiti Coast, southern Wairarapa, Manawatū, Whanganui, the Central Plateau, western Bay of Plenty, parts of Auckland, and western and northern parts of Northland. Temperatures were mostly near average (±0.50°C of average) for remaining parts of the country.
October was a dry month for the North Island and extensive parts of the South Island, where rainfall was below normal (50-79% of normal) or well below normal (<50% of normal). In contrast, rainfall was above normal (120-149% of normal) or well above normal (>149% of normal) for northern and central Otago, and Milford Sound. Rainfall was near normal (80-119% of normal) for eastern parts of Canterbury south of Banks Peninsula, Dunedin, and most of Southland. According to the New Zealand Drought Index, very dry to extremely dry conditions had developed across the southern half of Northland by the end of October.
Further highlights
- The highest temperature was 29.4°C, observed at Hastings on 14 October.
- The lowest temperature was -4.4°C, observed at Mt Cook Airport on 31 October.
- The highest 1-day rainfall was 251 mm, recorded at Milford Sound on 26 October.
- The highest wind gust was 181 km/h, observed at South West Cape on 2 October.
- Of the six main centres, Tauranga was the warmest and sunniest, Auckland was the driest, Christchurch was the coolest, Wellington was the wettest, and Hamilton was the least sunny.
- The sunniest four locations in 2026 so far are Nelson (2346 hours), Whakatāne (2319 hours), Richmond (2253 hours) and New Plymouth (2211 hours).
