Climate

New Zealand Climate

Low rainfalls, low temperatures

March rainfall, in a dramatic contrast to the extremely wet February, was well below normal throughout much of the North Island and northern South Island, with many locations recording less than 50% of average totals. Record low rainfall, less than 10 mm in many areas, occurred throughout much of Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and Bay of Plenty.

Mean temperatures were 1.0 to 2.5 °C below normal throughout much of the North Island, especially in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Waikato, and Taranaki, and also below normal in the north and west of the South Island. Lower than normal sea surface temperatures in March contributed to the low air temperatures over New Zealand.

Percentage of average rainfall for March 2004 (recording sites shown with dots). Click to enlarge.

Difference from the average air temperature in degrees Celsius for March 2004. Click to enlarge.

Difference from the normal surface water temperatures in the seas around New Zealand. Mean temperatures for March were below normal all around the country.