National Climate Summary – November 2005

National Climate Centre
Wednesday 1 December 2005

National Climate Summary – November 2005

- Rainfall: Well below normal in Taranaki, Kapiti, and Golden Bay, above normal in Coromandel, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and the far southwest of the South Island

- Soil moisture; Significant deficits in eastern regions from southern Wairarapa to Otago, as well as Kapiti, Wellington, and Nelson

- Temperatures: Warm at first, much cooler during the last week

- Sunshine: Very sunny in Northland, Westland, Nelson and Southland

Little rainfall occurred in many regions during the first two to three weeks of November. Rainfall was well below normal throughout much of the north and west of both islands, and less than 25 percent (quarter) of normal rainfall was recorded in Kapiti, and Golden Bay. Paraparaumu Airport and New Plymouth Airport, both recorded their driest November in at least 60 years. As a result, significant soil moisture deficits occurred in eastern regions from southern Wairarapa to Otago, as well as Kapiti, Wellington, and Nelson. November rainfall was above normal in Coromandel, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and the far southwest of the South Island, with a flood-producing event in the Gisborne region toward the end of the month. Temperatures were average or above average in the South Island, and average or below average overall in the North Island. The national average temperature was 13.9 °C, 0.2 °C above average. It was very warm in the east of the South Island on 9 November, temperatures reaching 30 °C in Canterbury and Otago. November was very sunny in Northland, Westland, Nelson, and Southland. November mean sea level pressures were above average in the Southern Ocean and the South Tasman Sea, producing more southerly quarter air flow than average over New Zealand.

Other Highlights:

- The highest temperature during November 2005 was 30.7 °C recorded in Christchurch City on the 11th. The lowest temperature for the month was -3.5 °C at The Chateau, Ruapehu on the 23rd.

- Queenstown recorded its warmest November day (29.3 °C) on record since 1871.

- Paraparaumu Airport recorded no measurable rainfall until 20 November (the first rain-day after 30 dry days), then 4 mm for the entire month.

- Several days of high rainfall resulted in surface flooding in the Gisborne region on the 27th and 28th.

- The highest wind gust for the month was 150 km/h from the northwest, at Castlepoint on the 5th.

- Of the four main centres Christchurch was the driest and sunniest, and Auckland the wettest. All four centres were drier and sunnier than normal. Auckland and Christchurch were cooler than normal, and Wellington and Dunedin were warmer than normal.

Rainfall:
Rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal throughout much of the north and west of both islands, and less than 25 percent (quarter) of normal in north Taranaki, Kapiti, and Golden Bay. In contrast, totals were 125 to 250 percent (one and a quarter to twice) of normal rainfall in Coromandel, Gisborne, and the far southwest of the South Island.
Temperature: Mean temperatures were above average in Marlborough, Otago, south Westland, Fiordland, and Southland, and below average in Thames, inland Bay of Plenty, Taupo, and Hawke’s Bay. They were near average elsewhere.
Sunshine: Sunshine hours were at least 120 percent of average in Northland, Westland, Southland, and Nelson, and above 110 percent of average in Auckland, Taranaki, Kapiti, Wellington, Canterbury, and Fiordland. Hours of bright sunshine were below average in Waikato and Manawatu.

\WELL BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL IN KAPITI, AND GOLDEN BAY
WELL ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL IN GISBORNE

Rainfall was less than 50 percent of normal throughout much of the north and west of both islands, and less than 25 percent of normal rainfall in Kapiti, and Golden Bay. In contrast, totals were 125 to 250 percent of normal rainfall in Coromandel, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and the far southwest of the South Island. Rainfall was near normal elsewhere.

Near or record low November rainfall was recorded at:

Location / November Rainfall (mm) / Percentage of normal / Year records began / Comments
Kaitaia Observatory / 29 / 28 / 1985 / Lowest
Kerikeri EWS / 33 / 25 / 1981 / 3rd lowest
Kerikeri Airport / 29 / 23 / 1978 / Equal 2nd lowest
Taupo Airport / 25 / 33 / 1976 / Lowest
New Plymouth Airport / 33a / 30 / 1944 / Lowest
Lower Retaruke / 40 / 30 / 1966 / Lowest
Martinborough / 17 / 33 / 2001 / Lowest
Paraparaumu Airport / 4 / 5 / 1945 / Lowest
Wallaceville / 18 / 18 / 1924 / 2nd lowest
Stratford / 37b / 22 / 1960 / Lowest
Waiouru MWD / 29 / 35 / 1950 / 2nd lowest
Takaka / 38 / 19 / 1986 / Lowest
Farewell Spit / 15 / 16 / 1874 / Equal 3rd lowest
Westport Airport / 46 / 25 / 1944 / 3rd lowest
Reefton / 55 / 32 / 1960 / 2nd lowest
Stephens Island / 4 / 6 / 1894 / Lowest
Riwaka / 20 / 19 / 1943 / 3rd lowest
Blenheim / 13 / 24 / 1985 / 3rd lowest
Le Bons Bay / 19 / 28 / 1990 / Lowest
a missing 27 Nov. bmissing 28 Nov.

TEMPERATURE: AVERAGE OR ABOVE AVERAGE OVER THE SOUTH ISLAND, AVERAGE OR BELOW AVERAGE OVER THE NORTH ISLAND

Mean temperatures were at least 1.0 °C above average in Fiordland and parts of Otago, 0.5 to 0.9 °C above average in parts of Marlborough, south Westland, and Southland, and 0.5 to 0.9°C below average in Thames, inland Bay of Plenty, Taupo, and Hawke’s Bay. They were near average elsewhere. The national average temperature was 13.9 °C, 0.2 °C above average.

Near record high November mean air temperatures were recorded at:
Location / Mean temperature / Departure from average (°C) / Records Began / Comments
Queenstown Airport / 13.4 / +1.3 / 1968 / 3rd highest

VERY SUNNY IN NORTHLAND, WESTLAND, NELSON, AND SOUTHLAND

Sunshine hours were at least 120 percent of average in Northland, Westland, Southland, and Nelson, and above 110 percent of average in Auckland, Taranaki, Kapiti, Wellington, Canterbury, and Fiordland. Hours of bright sunshine were below average in Waikato and Manawatu, and near average elsewhere.

Near or record November sunshine hours were recorded at:

Location / November sunshine (hours) / Percentage of normal / Year Records began / Comments
Kaitaia Observatory / 248a / 130 / 1985 / Highest
Hokitika / 239 / 131 / 1964 / 3rd highest
Nelson Airport / 278 / 124 / 1948 / 4th highest
Invercargill Airport / 215 / 122 / 1932 / 3rd highest
a to 29 Nov.

NOVEMBER’S CLIMATE IN THE FOUR MAIN CENTRES

Of the four main centres Christchurch was the driest and the sunniest, and Auckland the wettest. Rainfall was below average in all four main centres, especially Wellington. Temperatures were above average in Wellington and Dunedin, and below average in Auckland and Christchurch. Sunshine hours were above average in all four centres.

Location / Nov. Mean Temp. (°C) / Dep. from normal (°C) / / Nov. rainfall (mm) / % of normal / / Nov. Sunshine (hours) / % of Normal
Auckland / 15.8a / -0.4 / Below average / 52b / 56 / Below average / 215a / 113 / Above average
Wellington / 13.9 / +0.5 / Above average / 40 / 40 / Well below average / 239 / 114 / Above average
Christchurch / 13.1c / -0.4 / Below average / 23c / 50 / Below average / 248 / 115 / Above average
Dunedin / 12.8 / +0.4 / Above average / 45 / 71 / Below average / 176 / 109 / Above average
a Mangere b Mt Albert c Christchurch Airport

HIGHLIGHTS AND EXTREME EVENTS

- Temperature
The highest temperature during November 2005 was 30.7 °C recorded in Christchurch City on the 11th. The lowest temperature for the month was -3.5°C at The Chateau, Ruapehu on the 23rd.

Near or record high November 2005 air temperatures were recorded at:
Location / Maximum temp. °C / Date of occurrence / Records Began / Comments
Takaka / 27.7 / 4 Nov. / 1986 / 2nd highest
Culverden / 30 / 9 Nov. / 1983 / Highest
Queenstown / 29.3 / 9 Nov. / 1871 / Highest
Alexandra / 30.0 / 9 Nov. / 1992 / Highest

- Rainfall
Rainfall totalling 73 mm was recorded in Whitianga on the 25th. Several days of high rainfall, especially in the hill country, resulted in surface flooding in the Gisborne region on the 27th and 28th. Motu recorded 170 mm over two days. The Te Karaka and Manutuke areas were the worst affected. Several roads were closed, including SH2 between Gisborne and Opotiki. A number of schools were closed, and many residents were on standby in case of evacuation, due to high river levels. The rainfall also damaged ripening cherry crops.

- High winds
The highest wind gust for the month was 150 km/h from the northwest, at Castlepoint on the 5th.

- Hail
Large hail stones were reported in several locations during a period of cold southeasterlies on the 26th and 27th of November.

ENDS

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