New Zealand climate report

This report makes light of the fact that NZ had its warmest early-winter on record; the Southern Alps were devoid of snow; and does not reflect the increasing number of extreme weather events and growing impredictibility.

Enjoy the relatively mild conditions while you can.
2014 Annual Climate Summary out now

https://www.niwa.co.nz/news/2014-annual-climate-summary-out-now

NIWA’s Annual Climate Summary, released today, shows 2014 was generally a mild year with near normal rainfall and near average temperatures for most of the country.

2014 significant weather and climate events:

• New Zealand observed its equal-warmest June on record, which meant many ski areas throughout New Zealand were forced to delay their opening for the 2014 season.
• Heavy rain on 4 and 5 March caused considerable flooding throughout Christchurch and surrounding areas. On 4 March, Christchurch recorded its second-highest ever 1-day rainfall total (123 mm) since records began in 1873.
• Near the end of the first week of April, very warm temperatures for the time of year were experienced in many central and northern locations across the North Island.  On 6 April, nine locations observed their highest or equal-highest April maximum temperature on record.  However, temperatures were even higher for some of those locations on the following day – six of the nine locations (i.e. Hamilton, Tauranga, Paeroa, Te Puke, Whakatane and Rotorua) established new April maximum temperature records.
• At the end of 2014 soil moisture levels were below normal for the time of year across Waikato, lower Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and along and east of the Divide in the South Island, and the threat of drought was especially prevalent in Canterbury.
• For the year as a whole, 2014 was the 4th ‘windiest’ year of the past 49 years with 53 ‘windy days’ (see full report).
• On 17 April, strong winds associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ita struck much New Zealand.  In Auckland, around 17,000 properties were without power – mostly as a result of trees blowing onto power lines.
• On 8 and 9 July, damaging winds struck many parts of the upper North Island, with widespread damage occurring in Northland.   At least twelve homes had their roofs blown off, with property damage especially severe around the Kaitaia and south Hokianga areas.
• On 23 February, a supercell storm swept through northern and mid-Canterbury.  Two tornadoes formed, one in Amberley (north Canterbury) around 6 p.m. and one in Leeston (mid-Canterbury) earlier in the day. 
• Report highlights:
• Whangarei recorded the highest annual average temperature for 2014 (16.1°C).
• Whakatane was the sunniest location in 2014, recording 2711 sunshine hours, followed by Blenheim (2509 hours) and Lake Tekapo (2505 hours).
• Of the six main centres, for 2014 as a whole, Auckland was the warmest, Tauranga was the sunniest, Christchurch was the driest, Wellington was the wettest, and Dunedin was the coldest.
• Alexandra tops the 2014 list for the driest place in the country, with 378mm of rain falling all year.

Read the full 2014 Annual Climate Summary. 

Westland keeps weather record

Hokitika Guardian,

12 January, 2015

Last year was one of whether contradictions – the West Coast filled the leaderboard is the wettest place in New Zealand, but in spring and also managed 24 days without a drop of rain.

The National Institute of water and atmospheric research (NIWA)set in its annual climate report that based on its own pages, three wettest locations in the country were the crop river, with 11,866 mm, okay Roever with 9066 mm and Ivory Glacier with 7476 mm – all on the West Coast.

Meanwhile August experienced a mini drought.

Westport manage to go without a drop of rain from August 18 to September 10 mile Haast managed 21 days.

The cobwebs (and acres of forest) the blind away on April 17 when the remnant of cyclone eater slammed into the region, cutting power forcing the closure of Greymouth.today, some houses are still awaiting repair.

This Westport had a record-breaking windgust of 126 km/h during the cyclone.

Overall, average annual temperatures were recorded in Wesland. The wet end to the year when the above normal soil moisture levels were evident over parts of the upper west coast.