Science Centres: Climate

The climate we predicted and what actually happened.

Predicted rainfall: Seasonal rainfall is likely to be near normal or below normal in the western South Island, normal or above normal in the eastern North Island, and near normal elsewhere.

Outcome: The majority of the North Island received above normal rainfall apart from areas west of Auckland, southern Hawkes Bay, parts of the Wairarapa, the Wellington region and central Manawatu where normal rainfall was recorded. The north of the South Island, including parts of the Tasman, Marlborough, Buller and Kaikoura Districts, received below normal rainfall. South Otago, much of the Westcoast, the South Canterbury coast and parts of eastern Southland receive above normal rainfall. All other areas of the South Island received normal rainfall.

Predicted air temperature: Temperatures are very likely to be above average for the time of year, for most districts of the country, apart from eastern districts of both islands where average or above average temperatures are likely.

Outcome: The majority of the North Island experienced above average temperatures apart from areas northwest of Auckland, parts of central Waikato, southern Hawkes Bay, the Wairarapa and parts of the Wellington region where normal temperatures were experienced. The majority of the South Island experienced near normal temperatures apart from parts of the Tasman, Marlborough, Buller and Kaikoura Districts where above average temperatures were recorded.