Rainfall: Extremely dry in the east of the South Island, above normal in Hawke’s Bay and Southland
Sunshine: Well above average in the northern North Island, and the south and west of the South Island
Temperature: Below average in the south and east of the South Island, near normal in much of the North Island
June for many was drier and sunnier than normal. Rainfall was well below normal in Marlborough, Canterbury, and parts of Otago, where many locations recorded totals ranging from 5 to 15 mm, some sites experiencing their driest June since the mid 1980s. Timaru Airport recorded a total of only 4 mm (11 percent of normal). In contrast, above average rainfall occurred in Hawke’s Bay and Southland. It was very sunny for June in northern regions of the North Island, and also the south and west of the South Island, Dunedin having its sunniest June in more than 50 years of measurement. The national average temperature for June was 8.3 °C. This was 0.2 °C below normal, and the lowest for June in a decade (7.8 °C in 1996). It was also the first June since 1998 which was not warmer than normal. Mean temperatures were near average throughout much of the North Island and the north of the South Island. They were below average in Canterbury, Southland, and Otago. During June, anticyclones ('highs') were often centred west of the South Island. These resulted in above average pressures over New Zealand, with more frequent cool southerlies than average, especially over the North Island.
Other Highlights
- The highest temperature during June 2005 was 20.6°C recorded at Henderson (Auckland) on the 20th. The lowest temperature for the month was -8.6°C, recorded at Middlemarch on the 16th. Air temperatures fell to -6.1C at Christchurch Airport on the 25th June, the lowest June temperature there in 30 years.
- Damaging winds, attributed to a tornado, toppled trees near Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua on 1 June.
- A couple (one injured) were rescued from their yacht after being caught in a severe storm over 11-12 June north of New Zealand.
- Several damaging tornados affected parts of Auckland on 25 June.
- Several Otago and Southland roads, as well as the North Islands Desert Road, were closed by snow on 2-3 June, with some motorists trapped in the snow.
- Of the four main centres Christchurch was the driest, and Auckland the warmest. Rainfall was below average in all four centres. Temperatures were above average in Auckland, near average in Dunedin, and below average in Wellington and Christchurch. Sunshine hours were well above average in Auckland and Dunedin, near average in Wellington, and below average in Christchurch.
Rainfall
Rainfall was 25 percent (quarter) of normal or less in Marlborough, Canterbury, and parts of Otago, and less than 50 percent (half) of normal in Kapiti, Horowhenua, and Wellington. Totals were also below normal in Bay of Plenty, Waikato, King Country, Taranaki, Wairarapa, and parts of Nelson. Rainfall was above normal in Hawke’s Bay and Southland.
Sunshine
Sunshine hours were well above average in much of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Buller, Westland, inland South Canterbury, and Otago, and also above average in Bay of Plenty. Sunshine hours were well below average in West Otago.
Temperature
Temperatures were near average throughout much of the North Island and the north of the South Island. They were below average in Canterbury, Southland, and Otago.
Full report
Full details of June 2005 summary.
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.