Climate

New Zealand Climate

Mild conditions widespread

Despite a cold, wintry outburst during the last week, August was warmer than usual, especially in the South Island. The national average mean temperature of 9.2 °C was 0.5 °C above normal.

Temperatures were near average in north Westland, the central North Island, parts of Northland, and scattered areas of Central Otago and inland Southland.

Drier than normal conditions for the second consecutive month in some places

July and August were both drier than normal in the northeast of the South Island and in Canterbury, with rainfall about 50% of average or less, and in Bay of Plenty, which had less than 75% of normal rain.

However, there was above average rainfall in Southland, Fiordland, Southern Lakes, and parts of Central Otago. Rainfall was also above average in the southwest and the northeast of the North Island. Heavy, intense rainfall around and to the north of Gisborne caused surface flooding and some severe damage to hill country properties on 6 June.

Sunny spots

Sunshine totals were near average in many areas, but Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington were sunnier than normal. Lower than normal sunshine totals were recorded in Wanganui, coastal Southland, and Central Otago.

August’s climate pattern was dominated by more frequent than normal southwesterlies over mainland New Zealand, with below average pressures about and east of the Chatham Islands.

Percentage of average rainfall for August 2002 (recording sites shown with dots). Click to enlarge.

Difference from the average air temperature in degrees Celsius for August 2002. Click to enlarge.