- Rainfall: Ex-tropical cyclone and high rainfall in Northland; low rainfall in Nelson and inland south Canterbury
- Soil moisture: Deficits persist in Wanganui, Manawatu, and the north and east of the South Island
- Temperature: Cold, especially in the South Island; lowest nationally since 1993
- Sunshine: Sunny in the far north, and in Westland
March was cold with mean temperatures being the lowest since 1993. The national average temperature of 14.2 °C (almost 3.0 °C lower than in February) was 1.5 °C below the 1971-2000 normal. These were well below average in many regions, particularly in the South Island, and as low as normal April values in parts of inland south Canterbury. Contrasts in rainfall occurred, with above average totals in many northern and eastern parts of the North Island, as well as coastal Southland. Rainfall was below normal in Nelson, inland south Canterbury, and many western regions. Significant soil moisture deficits persisted during the first three weeks the month in Northland, Auckland, and Gisborne, and continued for the rest of the month in Wanganui, Manawatu, Nelson, and the east of the South Island from Canterbury to Central Otago. Northland’s high rainfall was due to two periods of wet weather over the 7th and 26-27th of March, the later event being associated with the passage of ex-tropical cyclone 'Wati'. March was sunnier than normal in northern areas of Northland, and in Westland. However, sunshine was below normal in Waikato, Gisborne, Wairarapa, north Canterbury, and West Otago. During March, depressions (or 'lows') were more frequent to the east of the North Island, with frequent cool southerlies over New Zealand.
Other Highlights
- The highest temperature recorded during March 2006 was 30.2 °C recorded at Ashburton Airport on the 14th. The maximum temperature of 29.2 °C recorded at Henderson, Auckland on the 20th was equal highest there for March in records that commenced in 1986. The lowest temperature for the month was -4.1°C in Middlemarch, Otago on the 26th.
- High rainfall, totalling 50-90 mm was recorded in Northland in the 24 hours to 9am on the 8th. Rainfall totalling at least 90 mm was recorded in Gisborne in the 48 hours to 9am on the 24th. Another high rainfall event, associated with ex-tropical cyclone 'Wati', affected Northland in the 48 hours to 9am on the 27th, with 2-day totals of 147 mm at Kaikohe and 143 mm at Kerikeri.
- The highest wind gust for the month was 150 km/h from the northwest at Castlepoint on the 1st. Storm force southerlies occurred in Cook Strait on the 3rd. A tornado occurred at a Hinemoana Downs farm near Waimate at about 2pm on the 8th, destroying a large 23 room historic homestead. Two sheds were also damaged. North easterly gales affected exposed parts of Northland on the 26th, with a gust of 141 km/h at Cape Reinga.
- Hail occurred during thunderstorms in Wellington on the 9th, resulting in the closure of the airport for a short period of time.
- Temperatures were below average in all five main centres. Christchurch was the driest, and Wellington the wettest. Rainfall was below average in Auckland, near average in Christchurch and Dunedin, and above average in Hamilton and Wellington. Sunshine hours were near average in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin, but below average in Hamilton and Christchurch.
Rainfall
Rainfall was about 200 percent (twice) of normal in parts of Northland. Rainfall was also above normal in parts of Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Wairarapa, Wellington, and coastal Southland. Rainfall totals were 25 percent (a quarter) or less of normal in parts of Nelson and inland south Canterbury, and 50 percent (half) or less of normal in north Taranaki. Rainfall was also below normal in Thames/Hauraki, Wanganui, Buller, Westland, and much of north Canterbury and Otago.
Temperature
Mean temperatures were about 1.0 °C below average throughout much of the North Island. Temperatures were at least 1.5 °C below average in King Country, Horowhenua, Wellington, and throughout much of the South Island. They were more than 2.0 °C below average in parts of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.
Sunshine
Sunshine hours were at least 110 percent of normal in northern areas of Northland, and in Westland. They were below normal in Waikato, Gisborne, Wairarapa, north Canterbury, and West Otago.
Full report
- Full details of the March 2006 Climate 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.
