- Rainfall: Below normal in most regions, especially Waikato, Marlborough, and Otago; above normal in parts of Northland and Canterbury
- Soil moisture: Severe deficits developed during February in the east from Gisborne to Otago, Auckland, Waikato, eastern Bay of Plenty, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington, and Nelson
- Temperature: Cold, especially in the North Island and the east of the South Island
- Sunshine: Above normal in Northland and Westland; below normal in South Taranaki and North Canterbury
Mean summer temperatures were well below average. The national average temperature of 15.7°C was 0.9°C below normal and the lowest for summer since 1992/93. December was particularly cold. Summer temperatures were as much as 1.5 °C below average in quite a few eastern areas from coastal Wairarapa to North Canterbury, as well as parts of King Country and Wellington. However, summer temperatures were near average in Nelson. Rainfall was below normal in the west of the North Island from Auckland to Taranaki, as well as Eastern Bay of Plenty, and much of the north, west, and south of the South Island, with less than 50 percent (half) of normal in parts of Waikato, Marlborough, and Otago. By the end of summer severe soil moisture deficits had developed in most eastern areas of both islands from Gisborne to Otago, and spread to Auckland, Waikato, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington, and Nelson. Above average summer rainfall occurred in parts of Northland and Canterbury. Sunshine hours were above normal in Northland and Westland, and below normal in South Taranaki and North Canterbury. The overall summer climate pattern was dominated by more anticyclones in the south Tasman Sea producing more frequent cool southerly winds over the whole of New Zealand. At the same time, seas around New Zealand were about 1°C below normal.
Major Highlights
- The highest temperature recorded during the summer was 33.4 °C recorded in Murchison on 7 February. The lowest temperature for the summer was -2.5 °C at The Chateau, Mt. Ruapehu on 10 December.
- The highest wind gust was 167 km/h from the northwest recorded at Rock and Pillar, Otago, on 22 January
- There were at several high rainfall/flood-producing events – one occurred in Christchurch (74 mm) and over Banks Peninsula on 20 December and in South Canterbury (with flooding in Ashburton) on the 29 December; another occurred in parts of Coromandel and Bay of Plenty on the 9 January, and over 200 mm occurred in parts of Northland over 5-7 February.
- A hailstorm affected Riwaka on 1 December, with slight damage occurring to apples in some orchards.
- Of the five main centres, Auckland was the warmest, driest, and sunniest, Dunedin the coolest, and Wellington the wettest. Summer temperatures were below average in all five main centres. Auckland was sunnier, cooler and much drier than normal; Hamilton much cooler and drier than normal; Wellington much cooler than normal; Christchurch much cooler, wetter and cloudier than normal; and Dunedin cooler and drier than normal.
Rainfall
Summer rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal in parts of Waikato, Marlborough, and Otago, and also below normal in the west of the North Island from Auckland to Taranaki, as well as Eastern Bay of Plenty, and much of the north, west, and south of the South Island. Rainfall was above normal in parts of Northland and Canterbury.
Temperature
Seasonal mean temperatures were well below average throughout much of New Zealand. These were at least 1.0°C below average over the North Island and the east of the South Island, and 1.5 °C below average in coastal Wairarapa, parts of King Country, Wellington, North Canterbury, and the Kaikoura Coast. Summer temperatures were near average in Nelson..
Sunshine
Summer sunshine hours and/or solar radiation were above normal in parts of Northland and Westland, and below normal in South Taranaki, and North Canterbury. Sunshine hours were near normal elsewhere.
Full report
- Full details of the Summer 2006-07 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.