November 2004

Temperatures: Above average overall: Mild in parts of the Manawatu, Wairarapa, Canterbury, Dunedin and Southland, slightly below average in the north

Rainfall: Below average over much of the North Island, and northern half of the South Island; above average in the southern half of the South Island

Soil moisture: Deficits persisted in coastal Marlborough, and are showing up in Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury and areas of north and Central Otago

Sunshine: Above average in Northland, Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa, Nelson and Marlborough; below average in Westland, Fiordland and coastal Southland

November was a mild month, with mean temperatures about 1.0°C above average in Southland. The national average of 14.3°C was 0.6°C above average. Rainfall was well below average in Northland, Auckland and Hawke’s Bay, and along the Kaikoura Coast and North Canterbury, all with totals of 50 percent (half) of average or less. As a result, significant soil moisture deficits persisted in coastal Marlborough, and have now developed in Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, and in the Upper Waitaki valley. Rainfall was above average in Fiordland, Southland, parts of Otago and coastal south Canterbury. Sunshine hours were much above average in the north and east of the North Island and north of the South Island, yet below average in the southwest of the South Island. Most depressions ('lows') tracked well south of New Zealand, while anticyclones ('highs') were more frequent to the east of Chatham Islands with ridges of high pressure over the north of the North Island. These produced more frequent westerlies and north westerlies over the South Island, with very windy conditions at times.

Highlights

• The highest November 2004 temperature was 30.0°C, recorded in Culverden on the 7th. This was their highest November temperature since measurements commenced in 1983. Nelson Park also recorded 28.5°C, this month, on the 14th. The lowest temperature for the month was -2.0°C, recorded in Ranfurly on the 25th.
• Thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy rainfall buffeted many parts of the upper North Island on the 15th, especially Gisborne where 8000 houses were temporarily without electricity, and Auckland with some roofs damaged and trees fallen. More gales occurred from the 28th to the 30th.
• Cold southerlies brought snowfall to parts of the Otago high country on the 23rd and 25th.
• Of the four main centres Auckland was the sunniest and Christchurch the driest. Rainfall was below average in all centres except Dunedin. Temperatures were above average in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Sunshine hours were above average in all centres, with totals in Auckland the highest on record.

Temperature

Mean temperatures were about 1.0°C above average in Buller and Southland, and at least 0.5°C above average in the Manawatu, Wellington, central Wairarapa and many areas of the South Island. Below average temperatures occurred in the northern half of the North Island.

Rainfall

Rainfall was well below average in Northland, Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, in North Canterbury, and on the Kaikoura Coast. Rainfall was also below average in other areas of the North Island, and the north of the South Island. November rainfall totals were above average in parts of Fiordland, Otago and coastal south Canterbury.

Sunshine

Sunshine hours were above average in Northland, Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Nelson and Marlborough; and below average in Westland, Fiordland and coastal Southland.

Full report

Full details of November 2004 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.