Wednesday, 18 June 2003
Rainfall: well below average in Horowhenua, Kapiti, Wellington, central Marlborough and Otago; above average in Northland
Soil moisture: significant deficits for much of the autumn in the southwest of the North Island and the north and east of the South Island
Sunshine: extremely sunny in Kapiti, Wellington, Westland, and coastal Otago
Temperatures: above average in the North Island, and the north and west of the South Island
Below average rainfall was a major feature of the autumn for many regions, especially Horowhenua, Kapiti, Wellington, central Marlborough and Otago, where significant soil moisture deficits prevailed through much of the season. In contrast, a number of heavy rainfall events affected Northland. It was extremely sunny in Kapiti, Wellington, Westland, and coastal Otago, with record high autumn sunshine hours for both Paraparaumu and Dunedin. Temperatures were above average in many districts. The season’s climate pattern was dominated by more frequent anticyclones (‘highs’) south of Tasmania, extending across southern New Zealand to the east, and troughs of low pressure to the north of the North Island. This produced more frequent easterlies over New Zealand.
Highlights:
- Autumn 2003 temperatures ranged from a high of 31.8°C recorded at Hanmer Forest on 21 March to a low of –7.0°C recorded at Fairlie on 19 May.
- Heat-wave conditions occurred in the southwest North Island on 2 March, Levin recording 31.0°C, a new record high temperature extreme for any time of the year there in records going back to 1896.
- Heavy rainfall occurred in the Bay of Islands, parts of Auckland, Coromandel, and areas of Gisborne during the second week of March, and in Northland during the last week. Surface flooding occurred in parts of Northland and Auckland on 27 and 28 March, being widespread in Kaitaia.
- Significant rainfall occurred throughout Nelson, in Bay of Plenty, the Gisborne high country, and Canterbury over 5–6 April, with widespread surface flooding in Nelson. High rainfall and surface flooding also occurred in parts Northland and Coromandel from 19–20 April.
- Heavy rainfall with northerlies occurred in the Southern Alps on 1 May, with further high rainfall in and north of the Bay of Islands on 2 May. Another northerly event occurred later in the month, with bringing high rainfall to Northland, King Country, and Tongariro on the 21st. Easterlies resulted in rainfall totalling almost 100 mm in parts of Hawke’s Bay over 23–24 May.
Rainfall
Rainfall was well below average, being less than 50 percent (half) of normal in Horowhenua, Wellington, Wairarapa, central Marlborough, and Otago, and also below normal in many other regions. However, it was wetter than average throughout much of Northland.
Soil moisture
In March significant soil moisture deficits continued throughout the north and east of the South Island, from Nelson to Otago, as well as the southwest North Island from Wanganui to Wellington, and Wairarapa. Rainfall at the end of the month resulted in major relief for Nelson and north Canterbury soils. Significant deficits continued in April from south Canterbury to Central Otago, as well as in the southwest North Island from Wanganui to the Kapiti coast. May saw significant deficits persist in Marlborough and Otago. However, more regular rainfall brought relief to other eastern South Island regions, as well as the southwestern North Island.
Sunshine
Sunshine was well above average in Kapiti, Wellington, Westland, and coastal Otago. It was also sunnier than average in Wanganui, Manawatu, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Nelson, and Southland. Totals were below average in Auckland.
Temperatures
Mean temperatures were above average throughout the North Island, the South Island west coast, and the Southern Lakes. They were near average in the south and east of the South Island. The autumn national average temperature was 13.7°C, which was 0.3°C above normal.
Below average rainfall in many regions, especially Horowhenua, Kapiti, Wellington, central Marlborough and Otago Above average rainfall in Northland
Rainfall totals were well below average, being less than 50 percent (half) of normal in Horowhenua, Wellington, Wairarapa, central Marlborough, and Otago, and 50 percent to 75 percent (three quarters) of normal in many other regions. Rainfall was near average in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, north Canterbury, and coastal Southland. Rainfall was above average, with totals between 125 and 170 percent of normal throughout much of Northland.
Low autumn rainfall was recorded at:
| Location | Autumn rainfall (mm) | Percentage of normal | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Taratahi | 97 | 41 | 1973 | Lowest |
| Martinborough | 69 | 34 | 1924 | Lowest |
| Levin | 146 | 54 | 1896 | 3rd lowest |
| Wellington, Kelburn | 150 | 47 | 1862 | Well below average |
| Wellington Airport | 126 | 48 | 1958 | 2nd lowest |
| Wallaceville | 128 | 40 | 1924 | 2nd lowest, lowest since 1932 |
| Haast | 500 | 54 | 1981 | 2nd lowest |
| Blenheim Research | 70 | 47 | 1930 | Well below average |
| Blenheim Airport | 95 | 49 | 1941 | Well below average |
| Tara Hills | 61 | 43 | 1950 | 2nd lowest |
| Ranfurly | 52 | 45 | 1943 | 3rd lowest |
| Middlemarch | 38 | 31 | 1916 | Well below average |
| Dunedin Airport | 66 | 38 | 1963 | Equal lowest |
| Dunedin, Musselburgh | 76 | 36 | 1918 | 3rd lowest, lowest since 1939 |
| Lumsden | 105 | 43 | 1982 | Lowest |
| Lauder | 49 | 38 | 1982 | Equal lowest |
| Clyde | 51 | 47 | 1983 | Well below average |
| Ettrick | 48 | 33 | 1985 | Lowest |
Well above average autumn rainfall was recorded at:
| Location | Autumn rainfall (mm) | Percentage of normal | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Reinga | 415 | 149 | 1920 | Well above average |
| Kerikeri | 728 | 167 | 1936 | Highest since 794 mm in 1988 |
Much sunnier than average in Kapiti, Wellington, Westland, and coastal Otago
Sunshine hours were well above average (at least 120 percent of normal) in Kapiti, Wellington, Westland, and coastal Otago, and at least 110 percent of normal in Wanganui, Manawatu, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Nelson, and Southland. Totals were below average in Auckland, and near normal in most other regions.
Near or record high autumn sunshine hours were recorded at:
| Location | Autumn sunshine (hours) | Percentage of normal | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paraparaumu Airport | 603 | 125 | 1953 | Highest |
| Wellington, Kelburn | 571 | 123 | 1928 | 2nd highest, highest since 1930 |
| Hokitika Airport | 502 | 120 | 1964 | 4th highest, highest since 1985 |
| Dunedin, Musselburgh | 458 | 131 | 1948 | Highest |
Above average temperatures in the North Island, and the north and west of the South Island
Mean temperatures were about 1.0°C above average in Buller, and 0.5°C above average throughout the North Island, Westland, Fiordland, and the Southern Lakes. They were near average in the south and east of the South Island.
Near or record high mean autumn temperatures were recorded at:
| Location | Mean temperature | Departure (°C) | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farewell Spit | 15.9 | +1.6 | 1971 | Highest |
| Nelson Airport | 14.2 | +1.2 | 1943 | 3rd highest |
| Queenstown | 12.1 | +1.2 | 1872 | 4th highest |
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.