November 2003
Rainfall: Well below average rainfall in parts of Northland, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago; above average in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Fiordland and coastal Southland
Soil moisture: Significant deficits in parts of Otago, Canterbury, central Marlborough, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay
Temperatures: Below average in many regions
Sunshine: Well above average in Nelson, Canterbury, and north Westland
November was much drier than average in eastern Northland, parts of Nelson, around Christchurch and in some areas of Otago. Soil moisture deficits are increasing throughout Otago, inland South Canterbury, central Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay where they are significant in some areas, and have spread to north Canterbury and Gisborne. Above average rainfall occurred in Waikato, Taupo, much of the east of the North Island, Fiordland, western areas of Central Otago, and Southland. The month was cooler than usual over most of the North Island and in the south and west of the South Island, and sunnier than average in many South Island regions. The November climate patterns were associated with more frequent anticyclones (‘highs’) south of Australia extending ridges of high pressure into the Tasman Sea, and depressions (‘lows’) in the Southern Ocean often centred south of Campbell Island. This pattern produced stronger cool west-to-southwest airflow over New Zealand.
Highlights
- The lowest air temperature for November 2003 was –4.2°C, recorded at Tara Hills, Omarama on the 14th. The highest air temperature for November 2003 was 30.2°C, recorded at Timaru Airport on the 16th.
- Christchurch was by far the driest and sunniest of the four main centres. Rainfall was near average in the other three centres. Temperatures were below average in all four main centres. Sunshine hours were the highest on record for November in Christchurch, above average in Wellington, and near average in Auckland and Dunedin.
Rainfall
Rainfall was well below average in eastern Northland, parts of Nelson, around Christchurch and parts of Otago, all with totals of 50 percent or less of average. It was also drier than average in Bay of Plenty, and Kapiti. Above average rainfall occurred in Waikato, Taupo, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Fiordland, western areas of Central Otago, and Southland. Totals were near average elsewhere.
Temperatures
Mean temperatures were at least 1.5°C below average in inland sheltered regions of King Country, Tongariro, Fiordland, and Otago. It was also cooler than usual in many other North Island and southern and western South Island regions. Temperatures were near average in Coromandel, western Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, and Canterbury. The November national average temperature of 13.2°C was 0.6°C below normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine totals were above average in many South Island regions, especially Nelson, Canterbury, and north Westland. Sunshine was below normal in King Country and north Taranaki.
Well below average rainfall in Northland, Nelson and parts of Canterbury and Otago
Above average rainfall in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and the southwest of the South Island
Rainfall was 50 percent (half) or less of average in eastern Northland, parts of Nelson, around Christchurch, and parts of Otago, and 75 percent or less (three quarters) of average in Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Kapiti. Above average rainfall occurred in Waikato, Taupo, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Fiordland, western areas of Central Otago and Southland, all with at least 125 percent (one and a quarter) of average November totals. Totals were near average elsewhere.
Near or record November rainfall was recorded at
| Location | November rainfall (mm) | Percentage of normal | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mokohinau Island | 15 | 26 | 1934 | 2nd lowest |
| Lauder | 13 | 31 | 1942 | Lowest |
| Hamilton Airport | 185 | 206 | 1922 | 2nd highest |
| Castlepoint | 145 | 257 | 1902 | Well above average |
| Tiwai Point | 158 | 205 | 1970 | Highest |
Cooler in many regions
Mean temperatures were at least 1.5°C below average in inland sheltered regions of King Country, Tongariro, Fiordland, and Otago, and at least 0.5°C below average in many other North Island and southern and western South Island regions. Temperatures were near average in Coromandel, western Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, and Canterbury.
Near record low November mean air temperatures were recorded at
| Location | Mean temperature | Departure from average (°C) | Records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taumarunui | 13.0 | –1.9 | 1947 | Well below average |
| Clyde | 11.7 | –2.5 | 1983 | 2nc equal lowest |
| Manapouri Airport | 9.4 | –1.8 | 1991 | Equal lowest |
Sunnier over much of the south island
Sunshine totals were at least 120 percent of normal in Nelson, Canterbury, and north Westland, and at least 110 percent of normal in many other South Island regions. Sunshine was below normal in King Country and north Taranaki, and near normal elsewhere.
High November sunshine was recorded at
| Location | November sunshine (hours) | Percentage of normal | Year records began | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Airport | 284 | 128 | 1948 | 3rd highest |
| Christchurch Airport | 272 | 130 | 1949 | Highest |
| Hokitika Airport | 226 | 130 | 1964 | Well above average |
November climate in the four main centres
Of the four main centres, Christchurch was the driest, with 26 mm. Rainfall was near average in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. Temperatures were below average in all four main centres. Sunshine hours were above average in Christchurch and Wellington, and near average in the other two main centres. The Christchurch November value was the highest on record.
| Auckland a | Wellington | Christchurch c | Dunedin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. mean temp. (°C) | 15.0 | 12.8 | 12.7 | 11.9 |
| Dep. from normal (°C) | –0.8 | –0.7 | –1.2 | –0.6 |
| Below average | Below average | Below average | Below average | |
|
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| Nov. rainfall (mm) | 92 | 89 | 26 | 56 |
| % of normal | 99 | 94 | 51 | 96 |
| Near average | Near average | Below average | Near average | |
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| Nov. sunshine (hours) | 198 b | 244 | 272 | 176 |
| % of normal | 101 | 114 | 130 | 108 |
| Near average | Above average | Record high | Near average | |
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a Mt Albert b Whenuapai c Christchurch Airport
Highlights and extreme events
- The lowest air temperature for November 2003 was –4.2°C, recorded at Tara Hills, Omarama, on the 14th. The highest air temperature for the month was 30.2°C, recorded at Timaru Airport on the 16th.
- A tornado ripped off a room and blew the roof off a house in Westport at about 4am on 2 November.
- Snow settled on the Rimutaka Road and in Kaitoke, north of Wellington over 13–14 November, and occurred on the Port Hills near Christchurch overnight on the 27th.
- Hurricane force northerlies (with mean speeds as high as 132 km/h) gusted to 183 km/h at South West Cape (Stewart Island) on the 16th.
- Heavy rainfall, totalling 353mm, was recorded at Milford Sound for the 48 hours to 9am on the 22nd. High rainfall totalling 60–100 mm occurred in Waikato, the Gisborne high country, and coastal Wairarapa on the 26th, and in Motueka on the 27th.
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.