Hottest November temperature in 15 years

The hottest November temperature in New Zealand in at least the last 15 years occurred yesterday, when Gisborne reached a sizzling 34.8°C at 4.00 pm.

The previous November record, in the last 15 years, happened at Waione on 24 November 2009 when the maximum temperature was 33.3°C.

This was also the warmest November temperature on record in Gisborne since 1940, topping the previous record of 32.4°C on 20 November 1957.

In addition, yesterday's maximum of 34.8°C at Gisborne was the warmest temperature recorded in New Zealand since Clyde reached 35.5°C on 3 February earlier this year.

Gisborne wasn’t the only place to topple records – Wairoa in the north of Hawke’s Bay soared to 34.1°C at 2.00 pm, smashing the previous November record of 31.0°C from 9 November 1982.

Finally, as many locations eclipsed the 30.0°C for the first time this spring, the first to do it was Wharerata in the far north of Hawke’s Bay, reaching 30 at 11.40 am. This was the first time that 30.0°C or higher temperatures were recorded in New Zealand since March.

The top 4 temperatures across New Zealand on Wednesday:

• Gisborne 34.8°C (new November record)
• Wairoa 34.1°C (new November record)
• Wharerata 34.0°C
• Whakatu 31.9°C

Several temperature swings are expected to round out November, though at this point no additional maximum temperature records are expected through the end of the month.