November 2005

• Rainfall: Well below normal in Taranaki, Kapiti, and Golden Bay, above normal in Coromandel, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and the far southwest of the South Island
• Soil moisture: Significant deficits in eastern regions from southern Wairarapa to Otago, as well as Kapiti, Wellington, and Nelson
• Temperatures: Warm at first, much cooler during the last week
• Sunshine: Very sunny in Northland, Westland, Nelson and Southland

Little rainfall occurred in many regions during the first two to three weeks of November. Rainfall was well below normal throughout much of the north and west of both islands, and less than 25 percent (quarter) of normal rainfall was recorded in Kapiti, and Golden Bay. Paraparaumu Airport and New Plymouth Airport, both recorded their driest November in at least 60 years. As a result, significant soil moisture deficits occurred in eastern regions from southern Wairarapa to Otago, as well as Kapiti, Wellington, and Nelson. November rainfall was above normal in Coromandel, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and the far southwest of the South Island, with a flood-producing event in the Gisborne region toward the end of the month. Temperatures were average or above average in the South Island, and average or below average overall in the North Island. The national average temperature was 13.9 °C, 0.2 °C above average. It was very warm in the east of the South Island on 9 November, temperatures reaching 30 °C in Canterbury and Otago. November was very sunny in Northland, Westland, Nelson, and Southland. November mean sea level pressures were above average in the Southern Ocean and the South Tasman Sea, producing more southerly quarter air flow than average over New Zealand.

Other Highlights

• The highest temperature during November 2005 was 30.7 °C recorded in Christchurch City on the 11th. The lowest temperature for the month was -3.5 °C at The Chateau, Ruapehu on the 23rd.
• Queenstown recorded its warmest November day (29.3 °C) on record since 1871.
• Paraparaumu Airport recorded no measurable rainfall until 20 November (the first rain-day after 30 dry days), then 4 mm for the entire month.
• Several days of high rainfall resulted in surface flooding in the Gisborne region on the 27th and 28th.
• The highest wind gust for the month was 150 km/h from the northwest, at Castlepoint on the 5th.
• Of the four main centres Christchurch was the driest and sunniest, and Auckland the wettest. All four centres were drier and sunnier than normal. Auckland and Christchurch were cooler than normal, and Wellington and Dunedin were warmer than normal.

Rainfall

Rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal throughout much of the north and west of both islands, and less than 25 percent (quarter) of normal in north Taranaki, Kapiti, and Golden Bay. In contrast, totals were 125 to 250 percent (one and a quarter to twice) of normal rainfall in Coromandel, Gisborne, and the far southwest of the South Island.

Temperature

Mean temperatures were above average in Marlborough, Otago, south Westland, Fiordland, and Southland, and below average in Thames, inland Bay of Plenty, Taupo, and Hawke’s Bay. They were near average elsewhere.

Sunshine

Sunshine hours were at least 120 percent of average in Northland, Westland, Southland, and Nelson, and above 110 percent of average in Auckland, Taranaki, Kapiti, Wellington, Canterbury, and Fiordland. Hours of bright sunshine were below average in Waikato and Manawatu.

Full report

• Full details of the November 2005 Climate 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.