- Rainfall: Extremely high in Northland, Auckland, and Bay of Plenty; extremely low in Central Otago
- Temperature: Near average throughout much of New Zealand
- Sunshine: Sunny in Southland
Autumn rainfall was extremely high in Northland, Auckland, and Waikato, and parts of Bay of Plenty, and extremely low in parts of Central Otago. Seasonal mean temperatures were above average in Auckland, Coromandel, western Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Golden Bay, and parts of Waikato, and below average in parts of South Canterbury, and North Otago. The national average autumn temperature of 13.3 °C was 0.1 °C below normal. However, March was unusually cool, and April was rather mild. Sunshine hours for autumn were near above normal in Southland, and below normal in Golden Bay, and north Canterbury. The overall autumn climate pattern was dominated by frequent troughs or depressions ('lows') over New Zealand, with more frequent northeasterlies over the lower half of the South Island.
Major Highlights
- The highest temperature recorded during the autumn was 30.2 °C recorded at Ashburton Airport on 14 March. The lowest temperature for the autumn was -5.9 °C at Lake Tekapo on 15 May.
- There were eleven high rainfall events, at least six of which resulted in flooding – the most severe was that of 24-25 April, during which time much of the Taieri Plains including Mosgiel were flooded, as well as the towns of Oamaru and Waitati.
- The highest wind gust for the autumn was 150 km/h from the northwest at Castlepoint on 1 March. Storm force southerlies occurred in Cook Strait on 3 March. Four tornadoes were reported, the most destructive occurring near Waimate on 8 March, destroying a large historic homestead.
- Wintry conditions occurred with a cold southerly outbreak during 14-15 May, with snow closing several high country South Island roads, and the North Island’s Desert Road.
Of the five main centres, Auckland was easily the wettest, but also the sunniest. Rainfall was above average in Auckland, Hamilton, and Christchurch, and near average in Wellington and Dunedin. Temperatures were above average in Auckland, and Hamilton, near average in Wellington and Dunedin, and below average in Christchurch. Autumn sunshine hours were below average in Christchurch, and near average in the four other main centres.
Rainfall
Autumn rainfall was at least 150 percent (one and a half) of normal in Northland, Auckland, and Waikato, and parts of Bay of Plenty. Rainfall was also above normal in Thames, Coromandel, Taupo, Gisborne, North Westland, Nelson, and mid-Canterbury. In contrast, rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal in parts of Central Otago. Totals were also below normal in parts of Marlborough, South Westland, Fiordland, and Southern Lakes.
Temperature
Seasonal mean temperatures were near average throughout much of New Zealand. However, they were above average in Auckland, Coromandel, western Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Golden Bay, and parts of Waikato. Temperatures were below average in parts of South Canterbury, and North Otago.
Sunshine
Sunshine hours were near normal in most regions. However, they were at least 110 percent of normal in Southland, and 90 percent of normal in Golden Bay, and north Canterbury.
Full report
- Full details of the Autumn 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.