Wednesday, 8 June 2005
A season of regional contrasts Sunshine: Record high sunshine in the north of the North Island, above average over much of the South Island Rainfall: Record rainfall in parts of the Bay of Plenty, above average in Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa; well below average in Northland Soil moisture: Severe deficits throughout Northland during early and mid autumn Temperature: Above average in the north of the North Island, below average in south Canterbury and north Otago
Autumn was a season of regional contrasts. There were record sunshine totals in Northland and Auckland with some areas having their sunniest autumn in over forty years. Autumn rainfall in Bay of Plenty, however, was double its normal level in a number of districts that suffered extremely high rainfall events. Tauranga Airport recorded 751 mm, the highest autumn rainfall since records commenced in 1898. In contrast, rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal in much of Northland. Kaikohe recorded 151 mm, the lowest autumn rainfall since recording began in 1972. Severe significant soil moisture deficits occurred in Northland during March and April. Seasonal mean temperatures were above average in the north of the North Island, as well as parts of Manawatu. However, they were below average in south Canterbury and north Otago. The autumn national average temperature of 13.4°C was the same as the 1971-2000 normal. The overall autumn climate pattern was dominated by more frequent troughs of low pressure over the North Island with westerlies over southern New Zealand.
Major Highlights
- The highest temperature during the 2005 autumn was 32.9°C recorded at Darfield in hot northwesterly conditions on 5 March. The lowest temperature was -6.7°C, recorded at Ranfurly on the 18th of May.
- Several tornadoes or tornado-like features occurred in autumn. On 10 March a severe tornado tracked through Greymouth, with damages estimated of at least $10 million. Three people were injured and 30 left homeless. On 25 March damaging tornado-like winds struck parts of Bay of Plenty.
- Huge waves generated by an offshore low pressure system northeast of Gisborne and strong easterlies, resulted in flooding and damage in the Hawke’s Bay coastal settlement of Haumoana on 17 March, six houses being evacuated and 60 people being affected.
- Fog and low cloud occurred at Wellington Airport on 17-18 March, 20-22 March, 12 April and 19-20 May resulting in airport closures and disruption for many travellers. Fog hours at Wellington airport for 2005 are the highest they have been for 45 years.
- High rainfall occurred throughout much of Taranaki, Wairarapa and Wellington over 29-31 March, some areas recording more than 100 mm, with flooding in parts of Wairarapa. For the 24-hours to 9am on 31 March, Wellington Airport recorded its highest 1-day rainfall total (94 mm) since 1981.
- Torrential rainfall over 3-4 May resulted in serious widespread flooding in parts of Tauranga. A phenomenal high-rainfall flood-producing event affected Bay of Plenty on 17-18 May, resulting in a state of emergency from Tauranga to Matata. Tauranga Airport recorded a massive 347 mm of rainfall in 24-hours. Hundreds of people were evacuated from and many homes destroyed. The cost of the damage from this event has been estimated to be at least $40-50 million.
Of the four main centres Auckland was the sunniest, and Dunedin the driest. Rainfall was below average in Auckland and Dunedin, above average in Wellington, and average in Christchurch. Temperatures were above average in Auckland, average in Wellington, and below average in the two other main centres. Well above average sunshine hours occurred in Auckland and Dunedin, near average in Wellington and Christchurch.
Temperature
Mean temperatures were near average overall in many regions. However, they were above average in the north of the North Island, as well as parts of Manawatu. Temperatures were below average in south Canterbury and north Otago.
Rainfall
Autumn rainfall was more than 200 percent (double) of normal in parts of Bay of Plenty. It was also wetter than normal in Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, parts of Wellington, and the Kaikoura Coast. Rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal in much of Northland, and less than 75 percent (three quarters) of normal in Buller, Westland, south Canterbury, and parts of Otago.
Sunshine
Sunshine hours were well above average in Northland, Auckland, south Canterbury, and Otago. It was also sunnier than average in Coromandel, Buller, north Westland, and Southland.
Full report
Full details of Autumn 2005 summary. (PDF)
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.