Climate extremes
Hottest, coldest, wettest, driest, sunniest, windiest...find out here which places hold the record for climate extremes in New Zealand
New Zealand climate extremes, updated up until 31 December 2016
Rainfall*
| Period | Amount (mm) | Site | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest: | |||
| 10 minutes | 34 | Tauranga | 17 April 1948 |
| 1 hour | 134 | Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika Catchment)** | From 2300 hours on 8 January 2004 |
| 12 hours | 566 | Hokitika at Prices Flat | From 2311 hours on 11 May 1978 |
| 24 hours | 758 | Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika Catchment) | From 0620 hours on 27 December 1989 |
| 48 hours | 1049 | Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika Catchment) | From 1542 hours on 11 December 1995 |
| 1 calendar month | 2927 | Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika Catchment) | December 1995 |
| 31 days | 3813 | Croppat Waterfall (Hokitika Catchment) | From 2054 hours on 19 October 1999 |
| 1 calendar year | 16617 | Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika Catchment) | January 1998 – December 1998 |
| 365 days | 18413 | Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika Catchment) | From 0348 hours on 30 October 1997 |
| Lowest: | |||
| 3 months | 9 | Cape Campbell | January–March 2001 |
| 6 months | 52 | Cape Campbell | November 2000 – April 2001 |
| 12 months | 167 | Alexandra | November 1963 – October 1964 |
| 1 calendar year | 212 | Alexandra | January 1964 – December 1964 |
| Longest rainless period: | |||
| 71 days | 0 | Wai-iti, Marlborough | From 8 February 1939 |
*Two sources of rainfall data were used:
The National Climate Database, CliFlo, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included. Rainfall data used were 9am-9am 24-hour totals.
The National Hydrometric Database, EDENZ, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included. Rainfall data used were near-instantaneous. For example, the 566 mm recorded at Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika catchment) occurred between 2311 NZST on 11 May 1978 and 1111 NZST on 12 May 1978. For the calendar month and calendar year totals, the data start at 0000 NZST.
**Cropp at Waterfall is a gauge sited near the waterfall on the Cropp River, which is a tributary of the Whitcombe River, itself a tributary of the Hokitika River.
Temperature#
| Location | Temperature (°C) | Site | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest air temperature: | |||
| North Island | 39.2 | Ruatoria | 7 February 1973 |
| South Island | 42.4 | Rangiora | 7 February 1973 |
| Lowest air temperature: | |||
| North Island | –13.6 | Chateau Tongariro | 7 July 1937 |
| South Island |
–25.6 | Ranfurly, Eweburn | 17 July 1903* |
| Lowest grass minimum: | |||
| –21.6 | Lake Tekapo | 4 August 1938 |
#Climate data were sourced from the National Climate Database, CliFlo, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included. All temperature data from stations below 500 m AMSL were included.
*Data entry of historical New Zealand climate records, from paper into electronic format, is an on-going activity. This datum was archived into the National Climate Database, CliFlo, on 26 February 2009. Newspaper reports at the time in The Otago Witness and The Tuapeka Times described extreme impacts from snow and severe temperatures in the region, consistent with the recorded temperatures.
Sunshine#
| Location | Total (hours) | Site | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest in one year: |
|||
| North Island | 2792 | Whakatane | 2013 |
| South Island | 2840 | Richmond | 2016 |
| Highest in one month: |
|||
| North Island | 356 | New Plymouth | January 2015 |
| South Island | 336 | Nelson | December 1934 |
| Lowest in one year: |
|||
| North Island | 1357 | Palmerston North | 1992 |
| South Island | 1333 | Invercargill | 1983 |
| Lowest in one month: |
|||
| North Island | 27 | Taumarunui | June 2002 |
| South Island | 35 | Invercargill | June 1935 |
#Climate data were sourced from the National Climate Database, CliFlo, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included.
Wind gusts#
| Location | Speed (km/h) | Site | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Island | 248 | Hawkins Hill, Wellington | 6 November 1959 & 4 July 1962 |
| South Island | 250 | Mt John, Canterbury | 18 April 1970 |
#Climate data were sourced from the National Climate Database, CliFlo, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included.