November 2002
Sunday, 1 December 2002
Windy and cold, below average temperatures persist
Below average rainfall persists in Marlborough and Bay of Plenty; low rainfall also in Northland
Wet in mid and north Canterbury
Sunny in Northland and Westland
For much of the country, November was a cold and windy month, the first three weeks being dominated by almost relentless winds from the south and west. Temperatures, as with October, continued well below average, with little of the normal spring warming until the end of November, due to frequent periods of cold south-westerlies and southerlies. It was particularly cold, with temperatures more than 2.0°C below normal in parts of Bay of Plenty, King Country, and Central Otago. The national average temperature of 12.9°C was 0.9°C below normal.
Rainfall was below average for the fifth consecutive month in central Marlborough, and was 50 percent (half) or less of average in Northland and Bay of Plenty. Other regions with below average rainfall were Auckland, Taupo, Gisborne, Buller, Nelson, Westland, south Canterbury and the Southern Lakes. In contrast, it was unsettled with above average rainfall in north Canterbury. Significant soil moisture deficits persisted in central Marlborough and have also developed in northern and Central Otago and South Canterbury. Soil moisture is also well below average for the time of year in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.
Sunshine hours were above average in Northland, and Westland. However, sunshine totals were less than usual along the Kapiti Coast and in Wellington.
November’s climate pattern was dominated by below average pressures east of the North Island, producing more frequent cold southerlies and south-westerlies over New Zealand. Anticyclones were more frequent off the eastern Australian coast.
Below average temperatures persist
Mean temperatures were at least 1.5°C below normal in many regions, and up to 2.0°C below normal in the King Country and Central Otago.
Near or record low mean November temperatures were recorded at:
| Location | Mean temperature | Departure (°C) | Records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaitaia Observatory | 14.7 | –1.2 | 1985 | 3rd lowest |
| Paeroa | 14.0 | –2.0 | 1947 | 2nd lowest |
| Te Puke | 14.0 | –1.1 | 1973 | 3rd equal lowest |
| Rotorua Airport | 12.4 | –1.8 | 1964 | 2nd equal lowest |
| Taupo Airport | 11.4 | –1.9 | 1976 | 2nd euqal lowest |
| Auckland Airport | 14.8 | –1.4 | 1962 | 3rd lowest |
| Taumarunui | 12.2 | –2.7 | 1947 | Lowest |
| Castlepoint | 12.6 | –2.6 | 1972 | 3rd equal lowest |
| Manapouri | 9.8 | –1.5 | 1991 | 3rd equal lowest |
| Gore | 9.4 | –2.3 | 1972 | Lowest |
Below average rainfall persists in Marlborough and Bay of Plenty
Rainfall was below average for the fifth consecutive month in central Marlborough, November totals being 75 percent or less of average. Rainfall was 50 percent or less of average in Northland and Bay of Plenty, and 75 percent or less of average in Auckland, Taupo, Gisborne, Buller, Nelson, Westland, south Canterbury and the Southern Lakes.
Record low November rainfall was recorded at:
| Location | November rainfall (mm) | Percentage of normal | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawerau | 35* | 30 | 1954 | 2nd lowest |
* to 9am 28 Nov.
Wet in mid and north Canterbury
The month was unsettled with rainfall totals over 200 percent of average in parts of mid and north Canterbury.
Near record high November rainfall was recorded at:
| Location | November rainfall (mm) | Percentage of normal | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rangiora | 105 | 195 | 1965 | 3rd highest |
| Christchurch Gardens | 124 | 252 | 1864 | 4th highest |
Sunny in Northland and Westland
Sunshine and solar radiation totals were 110 percent or more of average in Northland, and Westland. However, totals were 90 percent or less than average along the Kapiti coast and in Wellington.
Record high November solar radiation was recorded at:
| Location | November solar radiation, mean daily (MJ/m2 ) | Percentage of normal | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerikeri | 23.5 | 123 | 1988 | Highest |
Highlights
Extreme temperatures
- The lowest air temperature for the month was –4.3°C, recorded at The Chateau, Mt Ruapehu on 13 November. The lowest November air temperature on record there is –10.4°C.
- The highest air temperature for the month was 28.9°C, recorded at Murchison on 20 November. The highest November air temperature on record at Murchison is 29.6°C.
- Late spring frosts created potential for damage to grapevines throughout Central Marlborough during the night of 17–18 November. An air minimum of –1.6°C was recorded at Blenheim Airport that night, the second lowest there in November since measurements began in 1941.
High winds
- Gale force north-westerlies buffeted the lower North Island on the 1st, with a maximum gust of 130 km/h recorded at Kelburn, Wellington. Further high winds on 11 November resulted in a few lifted roofs in Wellington, Wairarapa, and Hawke’s Bay. Power cuts resulted in some areas of Hawke’s Bay as tree branches damaged power lines.
Thunderstorms
- A spectacular display of lightning occurred over Northland, Auckland, and Coromandel during the night of 1–2 November, with almost 500 lightning flashes detected over Auckland, and about 300 over both Whangarei and Whitianga.
Severe hailstorms
- On 17 November, hailstorms struck apple orchards in the Motueka area of Nelson province, some resulting in severe damage to crops. A few orchards lost 70–100 percent of their potential crop. Estimates of the losses in terms of export crops stood at $20 million.
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.