May's climate
New Zealand climate in May
During May, inland areas of much of New Zealand were very cold, especially at night. The national average temperature at 9.6 °C was 1.1 °C below average.
Record low rainfalls were recorded in Kapiti, Nelson and Marlborough, and the Tekapo basin; parts of Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay recorded twice the normal May rainfall. It was very sunny in the west of both islands; sunshine hours were below average in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.
For more information see www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/cs/mclimsum_08_05
Soil moisture deficitSoil moisture levels remained high during May over much of the North Island and north of the South Island. A low moisture zone persisted in South Canterbury–North Otago. |
River flowsRiver flows were near normal in the northern North Island, and below normal in most other places. |
March to May: the climate we predicted and what happened
Rainfall
Predicted: Near normal rainfall in most places, but possibly above normal in Northland.
Outcome: Above normal rainfall in parts of eastern and northern New Zealand, and parts of Otago. Drier than usual over much of the South Island.
Air temperature
Predicted: Average or above average in western districts, near normal in the east.
Outcome: Most places had near average temperatures; cooler than normal in some eastern districts; warm spots in the west and north of the North Island and South Island.
River flows
Predicted: Normal or below normal in the southwest North Island and the southern South Island, and normal elsewhere.
Outcome: Stream flows were above normal in the northern North Island, and below normal in most other locations.