- Rainfall: Extremely low in Kapiti, Wellington, Nelson, and Otago; rather wet in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay
- Soil moisture: Significant deficits in the east from southern Wairarapa to Otago, as well as Kapiti, Wellington, and Nelson
- Sunshine: Extremely sunny in the west from Taranaki to Westland, as well as Wellington, Nelson and Southland
- Temperature: Above average in many western regions
Spring was extremely sunny in the west, with contrasting rainfall patterns across New Zealand. Seasonal rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal, and the lowest in more than 60 years in parts of Kapiti, Wellington and Nelson. There was a period of 30 days without any measurable rainfall in Paraparaumu, from 20 October to 19 November. It was also very dry in Golden Bay, Buller, Marlborough, and Otago. The dryness resulted in significant soil moisture deficits at the end of November in eastern regions, from southern Wairarapa to Otago, as well as Kapiti, Wellington, and Nelson. Deficits of this type are not usually experienced until summer. In contrast, rainfall was well above normal in Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay. Sunshine hours were extremely high for spring in many western regions from Taranaki to Westland, as well as Wellington, Nelson, and Southland. Seasonal mean temperatures were above average in many western regions, but near average in most other districts. The national average temperature of 12.3 °C was 0.2 °C above normal. The overall spring climate pattern was dominated by higher than average mean sea level pressures in the Southern Ocean, with more frequent southeasterlies over New Zealand.
Major Highlights
- The highest temperature during spring 2005 was 30.7 °C recorded in Christchurch city on 11 November. The lowest temperature for the season was -7.0 °C at Arthurs Pass on 20 September.
- There were at least five major rainfall events – two with serious flooding, both affecting the Gisborne region, over 21-22 October and 27-28 November.
- Four damaging tornadoes occurred. These affected parts of Hokitika on 5 September, Hamilton on 17 September, Auckland city on 11 October, and Okoroire near Matamata on 15 October. Other damaging winds occurred in Northland and Auckland on 8 October.
- Snowfall occurred to sea level in Canterbury on 19 September, resulting in the closure of Christchurch Airport, along with schools and universities, and snow depths of 5-10 cm in the region. Hundreds of newborn lambs died in the cold. Severe ground frosts followed.
- Damaging hailstorms affected parts of Hawke’s Bay on 5 October, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay on 17 October, and Wairarapa on 30 October.
Of the four main centres, Auckland was the warmest and wettest, while Wellington was by far the sunniest. Auckland was wetter than average. Wellington was extremely sunny, very dry, and warmer than average. Christchurch was cooler and drier than average, and Dunedin was sunnier and drier than average.
Rainfall
Spring rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal in Kapiti, Wellington, parts of Golden Bay and Buller, Nelson, Marlborough, and Otago. Rainfall was also below average in north Taranaki, south Westland, Fiordland, and Southland. In contrast, rainfall of more than 150 percent (one and a half times) of normal occurred in Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay. Rainfall was also above normal in parts of Auckland, Coromandel, Waikato, Wanganui and Manawatu.
Sunshine
Sunshine hours were at least 120 percent of normal in parts of Manawatu, Westland, and Southland, and at least 110 percent of average in parts of Northland and Taranaki, and much of Kapiti, Wellington, Buller, Nelson, and Otago. Totals were near normal elsewhere.
Temperature
Seasonal mean temperatures were above average in parts of Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Nelson, south Westland, Fiordland, Southern Lakes, Central Otago, and Southland. Temperatures were below average in parts of Canterbury.
Full report
- Full details of the Spring 2005 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.