Outlook and outcome – November 2003 to January 2004 Rainfall was higher than predicted in parts of the east and centre of the North Island, and lower than predicted in the east of the South Island and in parts of Northland. Air temperatures were average or above average as predicted in many areas, and higher than predicted in parts of the west of the North Island. River flows were normal or above normal in the North Island apart from Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and East Cape where they were normal or below normal.

New Zealand Climate Warm summer continues Mean temperatures were above normal over much of New Zealand. The national average temperature of 18.3 °C was 1.2 °C above normal, the warmest since January 1999, and the eleventh warmest January since reliable measurements began in the 1850s. The highest maximum temperature for the month, 38.4 °C, was recorded at Darfield on 1 January, the equal highest January temperature on record for the South Island.

New Zealand river flows High river flows in parts of the North Island January streamflows were above normal in the east and south of the North Island, and varied from below to above normal in the rest of the North Island. January streamflows were below normal in the north, east, and south of the South Island, and normal to above normal in the west of the South Island.