An unusually dry start to winter TemperatureTemperatures were near average (-0.50 to +0.50°C of average) for the majority of the North Island. A portion of south
Waikato observed below average temperatures (-0.51°C to -1.20°C of average) while coastal southern Hawke’s Bay and
interior Manawatu-Whanganui observed above average temperatures (0.51°C to 1.2°C above average). Inland parts of
Marlborough and Tasman along with northern Canterbury and West Coast experienced below average or well below
temperatures (< -1.2°C below average). Temperatures were above average or well above average (>1.2°C above average) in much of
Southland, coastal Otago, and a portion of interior Canterbury. Temperatures were near average for the remainder of the
South Island.RainfallRainfall was below normal (50% to 79% of normal) or well below normal (<50% of normal) for the majority of New Zealand with the only exceptions being parts of lower Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa
where above normal rainfall (120-149% of normal) was observed. Soil MoistureAs of 30 June, soil moisture levels for the time of year were near normal across most of the country with pockets of
drier than normal soils in Northland, Auckland, eastern Waikato, interior Manawatu-Whanganui, coastal Wairarapa,
interior Marlborough and parts of lower coastal Canterbury and northern coastal Otago. Conversely, a small area about
Kaikōura observed wetter than normal soils.
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Overview
June 2019 was characterised by higher than normal mean sea level pressure. This resulted in more southwesterly winds
than usual over the country. Late in the month, frequent rounds of high pressure contributed to unusually dry conditions
and several rounds of colder than average morning temperatures due to clear skies, light winds, long nights, and less
soil moisture than normal.
Rainfall was below or well below normal across much of the country, particularly in southern coastal Canterbury and
northern coastal Otago where record or near record dryness occurred for the month of June.
With recurring high pressure systems, there were few significant weather events during the month of June. However, the
month started on a stormy note as an active low pressure system brought seasonably cold temperatures, snow, strong
winds, lightning and heavy rain to many areas (refer to the highlights and extreme events section for further details).
One particularly strong high pressure system (anticylone) affected the country during the final days of the month. On 29
June, a mean sea level pressure of 1043.2 hPa was recorded in Motu, Gisborne, the highest value observed in the North
Island during June on record. While anticyclones do impact the New Zealand region during the winter season, this feature
was rare because of its strength (>1040 hPa) and was the strongest on the planet at the time it was over New Zealand.
The pattern of high pressure was contributed to by a strongly positive Southern Annular Mode and influenced by ongoing
El Niño-Modoki conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
The nationwide average temperature in June 2019 was 8.7°C (0.1°C above the 1981-2010 June average from NIWA’s seven
station temperature series which begins in 1909).
Further Highlights:
• The highest temperature was 21.3°C, observed at Whakatu on 21 June.
• The lowest temperature was -9.2°C, observed at Lake Tekapo on 3 June.
• The highest 1-day rainfall was 99.4 mm, recorded Cape Turnagain on 23 June.
• The highest wind gust was 163 km/h, observed at Cape Turnagain on 6 June.
• Of the six main centres in June 2019, Auckland was the warmest and sunniest, Christchurch was the coldest,
Wellington was the wettest and least sunny and Dunedin was the driest.
• Of the available, regularly reporting sunshine observation sites, the sunniest four regions in 2019 are Wider
Nelson (1446 hours), Marlborough (1429 hours), Bay of Plenty (1403 hours) and Taranaki (1380 hours).
Rainfall: A dry June for most
Rainfall was below normal (50-79% of normal) or well below normal (<50% of normal) for the majority of New Zealand with the only exception being parts of lower Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa
where above normal (120-149% of normal) rainfall was observed.
Several locations in southern coastal Canterbury and northern coastal Otago observed one of their driest Junes on
record. Notably, Waimate and Oamaru only recorded 1 mm of rainfall, which is the driest June in both locations since
records began there in 1898 and 1941, respectively. Timaru also only recorded 1 mm of rainfall, which was the
second-lowest June rainfall total with records starting in 1881. Following consecutive drier than normal months,
Auckland’s water supplier (Watercare) encouraged people to reduce their water use in case the drier than normal weather
continued through winter.
As of 30 June, soil moisture levels for the time of year were near normal across the majority of the country with
pockets of drier than normal soils in Northland, Auckland, eastern Waikato, interior Manawatu-Whanganui, coastal
Wairarapa, interior Marlborough and parts of lower coastal Canterbury and northern coastal Otago. A small area about
Kaikōura observed wetter than normal soils.
Record or near-record June rainfall totals were recorded at:LocationRainfall total (mm)Percentage of normalYear records beganComments
High records or near-recordsNone observedLow records or near-recordsWaimate 121898LowestŌamaru131941LowestMotu 702919202nd-lowestTimaru 1318812nd-lowestAuckland (Western Springs)645319483rd-lowestWhitianga 783819613rd-lowestLower Retaruke 715019664th-lowest
Temperature: Near average for most
The nationwide average temperature in June 2019 was 8.7°C (0.1°C above the 1981-2010 June average from NIWA’s seven
station temperature series which begins in 1909).
Overall, most of the country observed near average mean temperatures. The notable exceptions were inland parts of
Marlborough and Tasman along with northern Canterbury and West Coast, where mean temperatures were below (-1.20 to
-0.51°C below average) or well below average (< -1.20°C below average). It was a mild month for lower Southland, coastal Otago and a portion of interior Canterbury
with above (0.51 to 1.20°C above average) or well above average temperatures (> 1.20°C above average).
It has now been 29 consecutive months (dating back to January 2017) since New Zealand experienced a nationwide average
temperature that was below average (0.51C to 1.20C below the 1981-2010 average).
Record or near-record mean air temperatures for June were recorded at:LocationMean air temp. (oC)Departure from normal (oC)Year records beganCommentsHigh records or near-recordsŌamaru7.60.519674th-highestManapouri5.61.719714th-highestSouth West Cape 8.70.919914th-highestLow records or near-recordsNone observed
Record or near-record mean maximum air temperatures for June were recorded at:LocationMean maximum air temp. (oC)Departure from normal (oC)Year records beganCommentsHigh records or near-recordsTe Kuiti 15.31.419594th-highestPorirua 14.10.919684th-highestLow records or near-recordsNone observed
Record or near-record mean minimum air temperatures for June were recorded at:LocationMean minimum air temp. (oC)Departure from normal (oC)Year records beganCommentsHigh records or near-recordsPuysegur Point 7.31.019784th-highestSouth West Cape7.01.119914th-highestLow records or near-recordsNone observed
June climate in the six main centres
June rainfall was below or well below normal for all main centres. It was Auckland’s third-driest June on record. It was
a mild month in Dunedin with above average temperatures while the rest of the main centres observed near average
temperatures. Of the six main centres in June 2019, Auckland was the warmest and sunniest, Christchurch was the coldest,
Wellington was the wettest and least sunny and Dunedin was the driest.
June 2019 main centre climate statistics:TemperatureLocationMean temp. (oC)Departure from normal (oC)CommentsAucklanda11.7-0.1Near averageTaurangab11.00.0Near averageHamiltonc9.5-0.1Near averageWellingtond10.2+0.5Near averageChristchurche6.0-0.4Near averageDunedinf8.1+0.8Above averageRainfallLocationRainfall (mm)% of normalCommentsAucklanda6555Below normal Taurangab5245Well below normalHamiltonc6959Below normalWellingtond9468Below normalChristchurche4273Below normalDunedinf3255Below normalSunshineLocationSunshine (hours)Aucklanda161Taurangab149Hamiltong156Wellingtond125Christchurche138Dunedinf126
a Mangere b Tauranga Airport c Hamilton Airport d Kelburn e Christchurch Airport f Musselburgh g Ruakura
Highlights and extreme events
Rain and slips
On 1 June, two people off-roading through Waimea River near Appleby Bridge in their four-wheel drive were rescued by
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) after being caught in flash flooding. Heavy rain in Christchurch caused surface flooding,
forcing the closure of a number of roads and sports events to be cancelled.
On 2 June, Christchurch marathon runners were battling challenging conditions with rain, chilly temperatures and gusty
winds. Twenty people had to be taken off the course by organisers after succumbing to the conditions and one participant
was taken to hospital with potential hypothermia.
Record or near-record June extreme 1-day rainfall totals were recorded at:LocationExtreme 1-day rainfall (mm)Date of extreme rainfallYear records beganCommentsDannevirke 6312th19513rd-highestWhanganui 561st19373rd-highest
Temperatures
Frequent bouts of high pressure brought several rounds of chilly morning temperatures nationwide. A large high pressure
system persisted over New Zealand towards the end of the month, trapping low cloud and cold air in some inland basins of
the South Island. For example, in the 72 hours from 9 a.m. on 26 June, the maximum temperature recorded in Alexandra was
just 0.9°C.
The highest temperature was 21.3°C, observed at Whakatu on 21 June. The lowest temperature was -9.2°C, observed at Lake
Tekapo on 3 June.
Record or near-record daily maximum air temperatures for June were recorded at: LocationExtreme maximum (°C)Date of extreme temperatureYear records beganComments
High records or near-recordsArapito 20.313th1978HighestFarewell Spit 18.114th1971Equal highestPorirua 19.014th19682nd-highestGreymouth 17.913th19472nd-highestAppleby 20.514th19322nd-highestNelson 19.414th18623rd-highestRichmond 19.814th18623rd-highestMotu 16.68th1990Equal 3rd-highestNelson 19.314th18624th-highestWestport 17.814th1937Equal 4th-highestLow records or near-recordsNone observed
Record or near-record daily minimum air temperatures for June were recorded at:LocationExtreme minimum (°C)Date of extreme temperatureYear records beganComments
High records or near-recordsPalmerston North13.514th 19403rd-highestPorirua13.014th1972Equal 3rd-highestLow records or near-recordsNone observed
Wind
On 5 June, 1000 households lost power in Bay of Plenty as strong winds and heavy rain moved through the region. Flights
were delayed out of Auckland airport due to poor weather conditions.
On 8 June, strong winds caused power outages for Vector customers in west and north Auckland. A tourist bus was blown
off the road and into a bank off State Highway 39, north of Pirongia in Waikato. Luckily no one was injured.
Record or near-record January extreme wind gusts were recorded at:LocationExtreme wind gust (km/h)Date of extreme gustYear records beganCommentsSouth West Cape 16329th19912nd-highestMahia 966th1991Equal 4th-high
Lightning and hail
On 1 June, a flight from Palmerston North heading to Christchurch had to turn back shortly after take-off after it was
struck by lightning.
On 5 June, the Sky Tower in Auckland was hit by a lightning strike as thunderstorms battered the region. Fortunately,
the Sky Tower is equipped with a dynasphere to withstand lightning. Northland recorded 3200 lightning strikes and a
microburst caused damage in Coopers Beach in the Far North as roofs where ripped from buildings and caravans were
flipped. One couple suffered minor injuries.
Snow and ice
June 1st, the first day of meteorological winter, started on a chilly note with snow falling in the South Island and in
the Central Plateau. Arthur's Pass to Springfield (SH73) and Lewis Pass between Hanmer Springs and Springs Junction
(SH7) were closed due to heavy snow. Two people were temporarily stuck in their car on a remote section of State Highway
8 between Burkes Pass and Kimbell as rockfalls and snow closed main thoroughfares. Another vehicle was stranded for more
than four hours in a snow-filled ditch on the highway between Geraldine and Fairlie in Canterbury. On a brighter note,
skiers enjoyed a snowy opening day at the Happy Valley area of Whakapapa ski field on Mt Ruapehu.
On 2 June, State Highway 1 between Waiouru and Rangipo closed due to heavy snow.
Cloud and fog
On 13 June, fog caused domestic flight delays and cancelations out of Auckland and Queenstown Airports. Also, low
visibility caused a multi-vehicle crash that blocked southbound lanes of the Southwestern Motorway, near the Dominion Rd
on-ramp in Auckland.
On 14 June, for the second consecutive day, fog blanketed parts of Auckland city causing 59 flight cancellations and 40
delays out of Auckland Airport.