NATIONAL CLIMATE CENTRE
TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2005
National Climate Summary – September 2005
- Rainfall: Below average in many regions, especially Nelson
- Temperature: Above average almost everywhere
- Sunshine: Sunny over much of the North Island, below average sunshine in coastal Canterbury
- Snowstorm: Significant snowfall event affects the eastern South Island
September was the third consecutive month with above average temperatures. September was also drier and sunnier than
normal in many regions, especially during the first two weeks and in the closing days. However, a significant very cold
outbreak with snow to low levels followed by severe frost affected some areas during the third week. Rainfall was well
below average in parts of Nelson. Appleby’s rainfall totalled 9 mm (11 percent of normal), was the lowest September
total in more than 70 years of measurement. Rainfall was less than 50 percent (half) of normal in Gisborne and
Marlborough. A lack of substantial rainfall in North and Central Otago and South Canterbury (less than 25 mm for the
month in some areas) resulted in a continuation of significant soil moisture deficits. Fire bans existed in parts of
Canterbury and Otago at the start of the month. September was the third consecutive month with above average
temperatures. The month was warmer than average almost everywhere, the national average temperature of 11.1 °C being 0.7
°C above normal. September was sunnier than average in many North Island regions south of Waikato and Bay of Plenty,
inland south Canterbury and Southland. There were more anticyclones than average east of the North Island, and also
south of the South Island. This pattern produced more frequent northerlies over the North Island.
Other Highlights:
- The highest temperature during September 2005 was 23.6 °C recorded at Hanmer Forest on the 11th, and in Henderson,
Auckland on the 12th. The lowest temperature for the month was -7.0°C, at Arthurs Pass, on the 20th.
- The highest wind gust for the month was 156 km/h from the southwest, recorded at Cape Reinga on the 19th.
- High rainfall totalling 338 mm was recorded at Arthur’s Pass between 4 and 7 September.
- A tornado struck Hokitika on the 5th, lifting a house roof, smashing windows, overturning a furniture truck, and
leaving a trail of damage.
- A deep depression was accompanied by high rainfall and gale force winds in parts of Northland, Bay of Plenty and
Taranaki on the 18th, with a damaging tornado in Hamilton. An unseasonably cold southerly outbreak followed, with
snowfall to sea level in Canterbury on the 19th. The southerlies produced hail showers in the lower North Island, and
resulted in significant fresh snowfall in the central North Island mountains, and closed the Desert Road. Severe ground
frosts followed in some areas over 20-21 September. Frost prevention measures occurred in many areas, including the use
of helicopters, to avoid potential plant damage.
- Of the four main centres Christchurch was the driest and Wellington was the sunniest. Auckland was warmer than
average. Wellington was warmer, sunnier, and much drier than average. Christchurch was rather cloudy and drier than
average. Dunedin was sunnier with near average rainfall and temperature.
Rainfall: Rainfall was less than 25 percent of normal rainfall in parts of Nelson, and less than 50 percent of normal in
Gisborne and Marlborough. Totals were average or below average in most other regions. Scattered areas of above average
rainfall (at least 125 percent of normal) occurred in isolated parts of Northland, Waikato, Wanganui, Manawatu, and
Westland.
Temperature: Mean temperatures were above average almost everywhere, and almost 1.5 °C above average in parts of Otago,
and 1.0 °C above average in the northern half of the North Island from Northland to Bay of Plenty, as well as
Wellington, and much of the South Island.
Sunshine: Sunshine hours were at least 120 percent of average in Manawatu and Gisborne, and more than 110 percent of
average in many North Island regions south of Waikato and Bay of Plenty, inland south Canterbury and Southland. In
contrast, it was rather cloudy in coastal areas of Canterbury.
ENDS
BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL IN MANY REGIONS, ESPECIALLY NELSON
Rainfall was less than 25 percent of normal rainfall in parts of Nelson, less than 50 percent of normal in Gisborne,
Marlborough, and less than 75 percent (three quarters) of normal in much of Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay,
Wairarapa, Kapiti, Wellington, Buller, south Canterbury, and Central Otago. Scattered areas of above average rainfall
(at least 125 percent of normal) occurred in isolated parts of Northland, Waikato, Wanganui, Manawatu, and Westland.
Rainfall was near normal elsewhere.
Near or record low September rainfall was recorded at:
Location September Rainfall (mm) PercentageOf normal Year records began Comments
Takaka 51 25 1986 Lowest
Motueka 23 20 1943 Lowest
Appleby 9 11 1932 Lowest
Blenheim Research 19 30 1985 2nd lowest
ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
Mean temperatures were almost 1.5 °C above average in parts of Otago, 1.0 °C above average in the northern half of the
North Island from Northland to Bay of Plenty, as well as Wellington, and much of the South Island. Temperatures were 0.5
°C above average in other North Island regions, as well as Buller, Canterbury, and coastal Otago. The national average
temperature was 11.1°C, 0.7°C above average.
Near or record high September mean air temperatures were recorded at:
Location Mean temperature Departure from average (°C) RecordsBegan Comments
Whakatane Airport 12.5 +1.3 1975 2nd highest 122 128 129
Motu 9.7 +1.6 1991 2nd highest
Wellington, Kelburn 11.9 +1.3 1928 3rd highest
Stratford 10.7 +1.3 1960 3rd equal highest
Wanganui, Spriggens Park 13.0 +1.3 1937 3rd highest
Farewell Spit 12.8 +1.5 1971 Equal highest
Motueka, Riwaka 11.3 +1.2 1956 2nd highest
Wanaka Airport 9.8 +1.4 1992 Highest
Invercargill Airport 9.6 +1.2 1948 3rd equal highest
VERY SUNNY IN MANAWATU AND GISBORNE, BELOW AVERAGE TOTALS IN COASTAL CANTERBURY
Sunshine hours were at least 120 percent of average in Manawatu and Gisborne, and more than 110 percent of average in
other western North Island regions from Taranaki to Wellington, the east of the North Island from Hawke’s Bay to
Wairarapa, and inland south Canterbury, coastal Otago and Southland. It was cloudier than normal in the Southern Lakes,
and coastal areas of Canterbury.
Near or record September sunshine hours were recorded at:
Location September sunshine (hours) Percentage of normal Year Records began Comments
Gisborne Airport 218 126 1905 Well above average
Palmerston North 194 162 1930 3rd highest
Christchurch Airport 108 65 1949 2nd lowest
SEPTEMBER’S CLIMATE IN THE FOUR MAIN CENTRES
Of the four main centres Christchurch was the driest, while Wellington was the sunniest. Rainfall was below average in
Christchurch and Wellington, and near average in Auckland and Dunedin. Temperatures were above average in Auckland and
Wellington, and near average in Christchurch and Dunedin. Sunshine hours were above average in Wellington, below average
in Christchurch, and near average in Auckland and Dunedin.
Location Sept. Mean Temp. (°C) Dep. From normal (°C) Sept. rainfall(mm) % of normal
Sept. Sunshine (hours) % of Normal
Auckland 13.7a +0.8 Above average 98b 84 Near average 150a 100 Average
Wellington 11.9 +1.3 Well above average 50 50 Well below average 185 119 Above
average
Christchurch 9.3c 0.0 Average 36c 78 Below average 108 65 Well below Average
Dunedin 9.5 +0.3 Near average 48 89 Near average 144 112 Above average
a Mangere b Mt Albert c Christchurch Airport
HIGHLIGHTS AND EXTREME EVENTS
- Temperature
The highest temperature during September 2005 was 23.6 °C recorded at Hanmer Forest on the 11th, and in Henderson,
Auckland on the 12th. The lowest temperature for the month was -7.0°C at Arthurs Pass on the 20th.
Near or record September air temperatures were recorded at:
Location Maximum temperature °C Date of occurrence Year
Records began Comments
Auckland, Henderson 23.3 12th 1986 Highest
- Rainfall
High rainfall totalling 338 mm was recorded at Arthurs Pass between 4 and 7 September.
- High winds
The highest wind gust for the month was 156 km/h from the southwest, recorded at Cape Reinga on the 19th.
A tornado struck Hokitika at 12.30am on the 5th, lifting a house roof, smashing windows, overturning a furniture truck,
and leaving a trail of damage.
- Fog
Flights were cancelled for several hours due to fog in Auckland on the 2nd.
- Significant snowfall and severe frosts
A depression which had intensified over the Tasman Sea tracked over the lower North Island (with central pressures below
970 hPa) on the 18th. This was accompanied by rainfall totalling 50-80 in parts of Northland, Bay of Plenty and
Taranaki, along with gale force winds. In Hamilton a tornado damaged several roofs and felled trees. An unseasonably
cold southerly outbreak followed, with snowfall to sea level in Canterbury on the 19th. The snowfall resulted in the
closure of Christchurch Airport, along with schools and universities, with snow depths of 5-10 cm reported in the
region. Power cuts also occurred. The maximum air temperature at the airport was only 4.8 °C on 19 September, the lowest
there in September in records that commenced in 1954. The southerlies produced hail showers in the lower North Island,
and resulted in significant fresh snowfall in the central North Island mountains, and closed the Desert Road. In
Canterbury, hundreds of newborn lambs died in the cold. Snowfall depths of 10 cm were reported in the Queenstown
district. With 25 cm of new snow, Coronet Peak ski field was able to reopen after having closed early on 12 September.
Further south, snow lay briefly in Alexandra on the 19th. The cold southerlies were followed by severe ground frosts
(grass minimum temperature -6.0 °C or lower) in the central North Island, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Kapiti, Wellington,
Nelson, inland areas of Buller and Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland over 20-21 September. Further severe
ground frost was measured in Otago on 24 September. Frost prevention measures, including the use of helicopters, were
taken to avoid potential plant damage, especially in Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay.
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