June 2004

Temperatures: Very warm, especially in the east from Wairarapa to Central Otago

Rainfall: Extremely dry in North Canterbury, but above average in many western regions

Sunshine: Sunny over much of the in the North Island, but cloudier than usual in Westland as well as Motueka and Queenstown

June 2004 was the 5^th warmest on record, temperatures being well above average, especially in the east from Wairarapa to Central Otago, by 1.5–2.5°C. More northwesterlies produced the milder temperatures. These caused well below average rainfall in some eastern South Island districts, with less than 10 mm recorded in some places, but above average rainfall in many western regions. It was sunny over much of the North Island and inland South Canterbury, but sunshine totals were less than usual in Westland as well as Motueka and Queenstown. Despite the warmth, a few cold wintry outbreaks occurred. The June climate pattern was due to more frequent depressions (“lows”) in the south Tasman Sea, and more anticyclones (“highs”) over and east of northern New Zealand with northwesterlies more prevalent.

Highlights

• The highest June 2004 temperature was 22.5°C, recorded at Darfield on the 4^th. The lowest temperature for the month was –7.0°C, recorded at Fairlie and St. Bathans on the 13^th.
• Significant rainfall occurred in northwestern districts of the South Island on the 15^th, 18^th, and 20^th, with surface flooding after several days of rainfall to the 21^st, closing some central North Island roads. Rainfall and flooding affected the East Cape/Gisborne region on the 29^th and 30^th. The same storm produced gales in Hawke’s Bay, where power was cut off from 11,000 homes.
• Snowfall occurred in the central North Island on the 1^st, closing the Desert Road. Further cold southwesterlies produced heavy snowfall in Central Otago, Arthur’s Pass, Nelson Lakes, and the Ruapehu/Tongariro district of the central North Island on the 22^nd, resulting in the closure of several high country roads. Motorists were also stuck in the snow, and some Central Otago schools closed.
• High winds buffeted exposed parts of Auckland on the 22^nd, felling trees and lifting roof tiles. Electrical storms and thick hail also occurred in parts of the upper North Island.
• Auckland was the sunniest and Christchurch the driest main centre. Rainfall was below average in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and near average in Auckland. Temperatures were above average in all four centres, especially Christchurch. Sunshine hours were above normal in Auckland and Wellington, and near normal in the other two main centres.

Temperature

The June national average temperature of 9.8°C was 1.3°C above normal, and 5^th highest for June since reliable measurements commenced in the 1850s. Only June 2003 (10.3°C), 1971 (10.3°C), 1916 (9.9°C), and 2002 (9.8°C) were warmer. Mean temperatures were above average everywhere, being 1.5 to 2.5°C above average throughout much of the eastern South Island from Marlborough to Central Otago as well as Wairarapa.

Rainfall

Rainfall was above average in the western North Island from the King Country to Manawatu, and the west of the South Island from Buller to Fiordland, as well as in the Gisborne high country, eastern Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, inland South Canterbury, Southern Lakes, Central Otago, and coastal Southland. It was very wet with rainfall almost 200 percent (twice) average in parts of King Country, Buller, Westland, and Fiordland. Rainfall was less than 25 percent (a quarter) of average in north Canterbury and along the Kaikoura Coast. Totals were also below average in coastal areas of Otago.

Sunshine

Sunshine hours were above normal over much of the North Island, as well as inland South Canterbury, below normal in Westland, and well below normal in Motueka and Queenstown.

Full report

Full details of June 2004 summary.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Jim Salinger – Principal Scientist, Climate
NIWA National Climate Centre – Auckland
Phone +64 9 375 2053
[email protected]

Stuart Burgess – Climatologist
NIWA National Climate Centre – Wellington
Phone +64 4 386 0569
[email protected]

Geoff Baird – Communications Manager
Phone +64 4 386 0543
[email protected]

Acknowledgement of NIWA as the source is required.