- Rainfall: Above average in the North Island, below average over much of the South Island
- Soil moisture: Significant deficits developing in Marlborough, south Canterbury and much of Otago
- Temperature: Above average in the northern half of the North Island, below average in eastern regions
- Sunshine: Very sunny in Buller and Westland
- Flooding: Significant in the Gisborne region
Contrasting rainfall patterns between the North and South Islands were a highlight in October. Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Auckland and Waikato were extremely wet with new October records established in some centres, while much of the South Island was extremely dry. Rainfall in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, was at least 300 percent of (three times) normal, while parts of Nelson and Southern Lakes, south Westland, Fiordland, and inland South Canterbury all had less than 50 percent of (half) normal. Significant soil moisture deficits are developing in Marlborough, south Canterbury and much of Otago. Temperatures were above average in the northern half of the North Island, and below average in many eastern regions. The national average temperature of 12.0 °C was 0.1 °C below normal. October was very sunny in Buller and Westland. Higher than normal air pressures to the south of New Zealand producing more easterly quarter air flow than usual over New Zealand.
Other Highlights
- The highest temperature during October 2005 was 27.0 °C recorded at both Alexandra on the 26th, and Woodbury on the 27th. The lowest temperature for the month was -5.1°C at Ranfurly on the 6th.
- The highest wind gust for the month was 132 km/h from the northwest, recorded at Castlepoint on the 1st. Damaging westerly gales affected Northland and Auckland on the 8th, and a tornado affected parts of Auckland city on the 11th. Damaging high winds also occurred near Matamata on the 15th.
- A major rainfall event produced rainfall totals of 55 to 85 mm throughout much of Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty on the 20th, spreading to Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay the next day; Gisborne Airport recording 148 mm for the 24 hours to 9am on the 22nd, and Motu 134 mm, with 93 mm at Napier Airport. More than 300 mm of rainfall was reported in some inland hill country areas north of Gisborne. There were extensive crop losses and damage to roads on the Tologa and Poverty Bay plains. About 50 homes were evacuated, and the water supply affected. Mangatuna was the worst affected area.
- A hailstorm affected parts of Hawke’s Bay on the 5th. Further damaging hailstorms affected parts of Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay on the 17th. Pea sized hail occurred in Wairarapa on the 30th.
- Of the four main centres Dunedin was the driest and Auckland the wettest, while Wellington was the sunniest. Rainfall was a record October high in Auckland, near average in Christchurch, and below average in Wellington and Dunedin. Temperatures were slightly above average in Auckland and Wellington, but below average in the other main centres. Sunshine hours were well above average in Wellington and Dunedin, near average in Auckland and below average in Christchurch.
Rainfall
Rainfall was above average over much of the North Island, especially in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, with more than 300 percent (triple) of normal, and parts of Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, and Wairarapa, and at least 200 percent (double) of normal. Rainfall was below average over much of the South Island, and in Horowhenua and Wellington.
Temperature
Mean temperatures were above average in much of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty. However, they were below average in many eastern regions from Hawke’s Bay to coastal Otago. Temperatures were near average elsewhere.
Sunshine
Sunshine hours were at least 150 percent of average in Buller and Westland, at least 120 percent of average in Manawatu, Kapiti, Wellington, Nelson, coastal Otago, and Southland. It was also sunnier than average in Taranaki, and inland south Canterbury.
Full report
Full details of October 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.