Science Centres: Climate

The climate we predicted and what actually happened.

July-September mean sea level pressures were projected to be above normal over the North Island and to the north of the country, with stronger than average westerly wind flow over the South Island and south of the country.  In fact, pressures were above average over northern New Zealand and to the north of the country, and below average over the South Island, resulting in a weak westerly anomaly over New Zealand.

Predicted rainfall: Rainfall was forecast to be normal or below normal over the North Island, normal or above normal over the western South Island, and near normal in the north and east of the South Island.

Outcome: Outcome: Above normal rainfalls were received for the northern half of the North Island with normal rainfall for the remainder of the island.  For the South Island above normal rainfalls were received in Marlborough, Nelson, Golden Bay and coastal Canterbury. Below normal rainfall fell in south Westland, Southland and the Buller Region. Normal rainfall elsewhere.

Predicted air temperature: Temperatures were projected to be above average in the North Island and northern South Island, and average or above average elsewhere. 

Outcome: Temperatures were mostly above average in Northland, Auckland, the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, coastal Hawkes Bay, Manuwatu, and the north of the South Island (as forecast), but were near average in all other areas of the North Island.  For the South Island, temperatures were above average or near average for the West Coast (with isolated alpine sites experiencing below average temperatures), as well as for Marlborough and Canterbury.  Temperatures were cooler than projected in parts of Otago, however, with near average to below average temperatures recorded.