Current climate: November 2016

A series of stormy low pressure systems passed over New Zealand during November 2016. These lows brought with them more rain, cloud and westerly winds than typically observed during November.

Rainfall

Rainfall was above normal (120-149% of normal) for large parts of the North Island with the exception of coastal Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay where below normal (50-79% of normal) or well below normal (<50% of normal) rainfall was observed. In the South Island, rainfall was above normal in Otago, Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough and large parts of Canterbury while Southland received near normal rainfall (80-119% of normal).

Temperature

November temperatures were near average (-0.50 to 0.50°C) for much of New Zealand.  The exceptions were Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay as well as parts of Manawatu-Whanganui and coastal Canterbury which observed above average temperatures (0.51°C to +1.20°C).

Sunshine

Sunshine was below normal (75-89% of normal) for virtually the entire South Island with the exception of parts of coastal Otago and Canterbury where near normal (80-109% of normal) sunshine hours were observed. Sunshine was also below normal in Taranaki, western Manawatu-Whanganui and Wellington. Conversely above normal (110-125% of normal) sunshine was observed in Northland as well as eastern Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

Soil Moisture

At the end of November 2016, soil moisture levels were below normal for the time of year for northern Waikato, the East Cape, southern Hawke’s Bay and northern Canterbury. Above normal soil moisture levels for the time of year were found around the Wellington, Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, Bay of Plenty, Southland and Otago regions. Soil moisture levels for the remainder of the country were near normal for this time of year.