NZ has its 3rd warmest August on record

Whatever you do DON'T MENTION THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM!

One degree of warming brings a 8 % increase in precipitation

NZ: Third hottest August on record hits during a season with a third extra rainfall

Stuff,

5 September, 2017

Winter was a real mixed bag this year, with almost a third more rainfall than normal, and the third hottest August on record.

Wellingtonians can be forgiven for thinking their winter was particularly trying, as the capital was the wettest and least sunny of the six main centres in Niwa's winter climate summary.

An estimated 1000 slips played havoc with city roads and left a number of capital residences evacuated, with four homes had their foundations compromised.

GEORGE HEARD/STUFF

Taieri farmer Ross Farquhar had water surrounding his whole property after a state of emergency was declared in Otago this year.

The South Island was hammered by flooding on the weekend of July 21 and hundreds of homes were evacuated as the state of emergency was rolled out in Waitaki, Dunedin, Christchurch, Selwyn, Timaru, and then the entire Otago region.

READ MORE:

* Winter of 1000 slips
* Explainer: How did Wellington's Ngauranga Gorge slip which closed SH1 happen?
* Is the capital crumbling?

Mid-July was memorable for strong winds in the lower North Island, which left more than 9000 people without power, and many flights at Wellington Airport cancelled.

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF

Ngaio Gorge Rd in Wellington was closed a number of times this winter due to slips.

On July 6 in Auckland, many flights put on hold or diverted as lightning and torrential rain passed over the airport, and on June 14 a total of 60 regional flights were cancelled and 48 delayed by fog.

Although high, rainfall was extremely varied, with record low levels for June in many locations.

Tauranga was the most variable, and earned the sunniest award for the six main regions, despite being sent into a state of emergency on July 21 and 22 due to heavy rain.

MARY-JO TOHILL/FAIRFAX NZ

A sandbagging crew desperately trying to save Kaitangata from severe flooding with the Clutha Rivet dangerously high nearby.

Tekapo took out the lowest temperature, with a frosty -14.6C on July 29.

Oamaru took out the highest one-day rainfall, with 161mm on July 21 – more than the area would usually receive during the whole winter season. 

All six main centres had above average temperatures, with Auckland leading the charge with temperatures 0.8C above average.

GLENN MCCONNELL/STUFF

The Auckland Skytower took several hits of lightning during a particularly savage storm this winter.

This winter was the 11th warmest on record for New Zealand.

SIX MAIN CENTRES

Auckland: warmest

Dunedin: driest

Tauranga: sunniest

Christchurch: coolest

Wellington: wettest and least sunny