October's climate

New Zealand climate in October 2005

Contrasting rainfall patterns between the North and South Islands were a feature of the October climate. Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, and Waikato were extremely wet, while much of the South Island was very dry.

Air temperatures were above average in the northern half of the North Island, and below average in many other regions, especially parts of Marlborough and Canterbury. The national average temperature of 12.0 °C was 0.1 °C below normal.

For more information on the climate in October, visit the climate summaries page at www.niwa.co.nz/ncc/cs/mclimsum_05_10

Large soil moisture deficits   Soil moisture (click to enlarge). Soil moisture deficits in Marlborough, South Canterbury, and much of Otago remained larger than usual through to the end of October. In contrast, soils were wetter than average across much of the North Island.

Above normal flows in the north   River flows (click to enlarge). River flows were above normal for much of the North Island, near normal for some South Island east coast and Southland rivers, and below normal elsewhere.

August 2005 to October 2005: the climate we predicted and what happened

Rainfall

Rainfall was near normal over much of the North Island, consistent with predictions. The South Island was drier than expected.

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Air temperature

Air temperatures were above average in most districts as expected.

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River flows

Streamflows were normal to below normal over most of the North Island, and below normal everywhere in the South Island.

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The three outcome maps give the tercile rankings of the rainfall totals, mean air temperatures, and mean river flows that eventuated from August to October, in comparison with the forecast conditions.

As an approximate guide, middle tercile rainfalls typically range from 80 to 115% of the historical normal, and middle tercile temperatures range about the average by plus or minus 0.5 °C.