National Climate Summary - December 2005
Rainfall: Wet in the north and west of the North Island, especially Northland, western Bay of Plenty, and Wanganui;
below normal in Hawke's Bay and Marlborough
Soil moisture: Significant deficits in eastern regions from Hawke's Bay to Otago, as well as Kapiti, Wellington and
Nelson
Temperatures: Well above average in most places, third warmest December on record
Sunshine: Normal or below normal throughout New Zealand
Contrasts in rainfall occurred in December, with extremely high totals in northern parts of Northland, western Bay of
Plenty, and Wanganui (highest in 115 years of record), and comparatively low totals in parts of Hawke's Bay and coastal
Marlborough. Significant soil moisture deficits occurred in eastern regions from Hawke's Bay to Otago, as well as
Kapiti, Wellington and Nelson, being severe in parts of Marlborough and Central Otago. Temperatures were remarkably high
throughout the nation. The national average temperature was 17.5 ¢XC, 1.9 ¢XC above average. This was the warmest
December in 71 years (18.5 ¢XC in 1934), and third warmest since reliable records commenced in the mid 1860s (December
1872 had 17.8 ¢XC). Sunshine hours were normal or below normal throughout New Zealand. December mean sea level pressures
were well below average in the Australian Bight, extending troughs of low pressure ("lows') toward New Zealand. This
pattern produced more frequent warm northerlies over the North Island and more northeasterly airflow than average over
the South Island.
Other Highlights:
The highest temperatures during December 2005 were 31.7 ¢XC recorded at Darfield on the 30th, and 31.5 ¢XC at Napier
Airport on the 31st. The lowest temperature for the month was 1.5 ¢XC at Chateau Ruapehu on the 25th.
Periods of high rainfall affected parts of the North Island from Northland to Wanganui between the 13th and 17th.
The highest wind gust for the month was 137 km/h from the northwest, at Castlepoint on the 4th.
Damaging hailstorms occurred in Southland on both the 5th and 15th.
Damaging tornadoes, or tornado-like winds occurred in Rotorua on the 6th, and Southland on the 15th.
Lightning strikes left many people temporarily without power in Taranaki on the 6th.
Of the four main centres Christchurch was the driest, and Dunedin wettest.
Rainfall was above average in Dunedin, near average in Auckland and Wellington, and below average in Christchurch.
Temperatures were above average in all four main centres. Sunshine hours were near average in Auckland and Wellington,
and below average in Christchurch and Dunedin.
Rainfall:
Rainfall was least 300 percent (triple) of normal in northern parts of Northland, and at least 200 percent (twice) of
normal in western Bay of Plenty, and Wanganui. It was also wetter than average in Thames, inland Bay of Plenty, Waikato,
King Country, southern Taranaki, Manawatu, coastal parts of south Canterbury, and western and inland Southland. Rainfall
was less than 50 percent of normal in parts of Hawke's Bay, and also below normal in Marlborough.
Temperature: Mean temperatures were at least 1.5 ¢XC above average throughout much of New Zealand. They were 3.0 ¢XC or
more above average in parts of Otago, and Southland, and at least 2.0 ¢XC above average in eastern Bay of Plenty, the
west of the North Island from Manawatu to Wellington, and most of the South Island.
Sunshine: Sunshine hours were 80 percent or less of normal in Waikato, King Country, Nelson, and coastal north
Canterbury, and less than 90 percent of normal in Taranaki, inland Canterbury, and Otago. They were near normal
elsewhere.
WET IN THE NORTH AND WEST OF THE NORTH ISLAND, ESPECIALLY NORTHLAND, WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY AND WANGANUI
Rainfall was least 300 percent (triple) of normal in northern parts of Northland, and at least 200 percent (twice) of
normal in western Bay of Plenty, and Wanganui. It was also wetter than average, with totals at least 125 percent (one
and a quarter) of normal in Thames, inland Bay of Plenty, Waikato, King Country, southern Taranaki, Manawatu, coastal
parts of south Canterbury, and western and inland Southland.
Near or record high December rainfall was recorded at:
Location December
Rainfall (mm) Percentage
of normal Year
records began Comments
Cape Reinga 177 306 1919 Highest
Tauranga Airport 189 218 1898 Well above average
Lower Retaruke 228 177 1966 3rd highest
Wanganui 196 279 1890 Highest
Ranfurly 116 213 1975 3rd highest
Lumsden 190 208 1986 2nd highest
BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL IN HAWKE'S BAY AND MARLBOROUGH
Rainfall was less than 50 percent of normal in parts of Hawke's Bay, and less than 75 percent of normal rainfall in
Marlborough.
ONE OF THE WARMEST DECEMBERS ON RECORD
TEMPERATURES WELL ABOVE AVERAGE IN MOST REGIONS
Mean temperatures were at least 1.5 ¢XC above average throughout much of New Zealand. However, they were 3.0 ¢XC or more
above average in parts of Otago, and Southland, and at least 2.0 ¢XC above average in eastern Bay of Plenty, the west of
the North Island from Manawatu to Wellington, and most of the South Island. Mean daily minima were 2.5 to 3.0 ¢XC or
more above average throughout much of the South Island.
Near or record high December mean air temperatures were recorded at:
Location Mean temperature Departure from average (¢XC) Records
Began Comments
Whangarei Airport 19.8 +1.6 1967 Highest
Auckland, Henderson 19.4 +1.3 1985 Equal highest
Tauranga Airport 19.2 +1.7 1913 Highest
Whakatane Airport 19.1 +2.1 1974 Highest
Motu 16.2 +2.0 1990 Highest
Auckland Airport 19.6 +1.4 1962 Highest
Pukekohe 18.5 +1.5 1970 3rd highest
Hamilton Airport 18.0 +1.5 1970 Well above average
New Plymouth Airport 17.7 +1.5 1944 Equal highest
Mt Ruapehu, Chateau 12.0 +1.5 1932 Well above average
East Taratahi 18.1 +2.9 1972 2nd highest
Mahia 18.4 +1.3 1990 Highest
Paraparaumu Airport 17.6 +1.7 1953 Equal highest
Palmerston North EWS 18.3 +2.0 1928 2nd highest
Levin 18.0 +2.1 1895 Equal highest
Wellington, Kelburn 17.4 +2.0 1928 2nd highest
Wellington Airport 18.1 +1.7 1962 Equal highest
Wallaceville 17.7 +2.2 1939 Highest
Stratford 15.8 +1.5 1960 Well above average
Wanganui, Spriggens Park 18.8 +2.0 1937 Equal highest
Farewell Spit 18.4 +2.5 1972 Highest
Westport Airport 16.9 +1.9 1937 2nd highest
Lake Rotoiti 15.2 +2.3 1965 Equal 2nd highest
Hokitika Airport 16.7 +2.4 1963 Highest
Franz Josef 16.1 +2.6 1982 Highest
Milford Sound 16.3 +2.8 1934 2nd highest
Puysegur Point 15.8 +3.2 1978 Highest
Stephens Island 16.8 +2.3 1973 Highest
Motueka, Riwaka 18.6 +2.5 1956 Highest
Nelson Airport 18.8 +2.6 1943 Highest
Blenheim Research 18.4 +1.7 1985 2nd highest
Blenheim Airport 18.6 +2.3 1941 Equal highest
Arthurs Pass 13.7 +2.5 1978 Highest
Winchmore 16.9 +2.1 1949 2nd highest
Rangiora 17.0 +1.6 1965 Well above average
Christchurch Airport 17.2 +1.5 1953 Well above average
Lincoln 17.2 +1.9 1881 Well above average
Timaru Airport 16.2 +1.7 1962 3rd highest
Tara Hills 16.9 +2.5 1949 Equal highest
Wanaka Airport 18.3 +2.5 1992 Highest
Dunedin Airport 16.7 +2.9 1962 Highest
Dunedin, Musselburgh 15.5 +1.6 1947 2nd highest
Manapouri Airport 15.8 +2.9 1991 Highest
Queenstown 17.8 +2.7 1871 3rd highest
Lauder 17.3 +2.9 1981 Highest
Clyde 18.6 +2.8 1983 Highest
Ettrick 17.8 +2.3 1986 Highest
Gore 16.1 +2.6 1987 Highest
Invercargill Airport 16.4 +3.4 1948 Highest
Tiwai Point 16.3 +2.9 1970 Highest
Campbell Island 10.9 +2.1 1941 Highest
AVERAGE OR BELOW AVERAGE SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT MUCH OF NEW ZEALAND
Sunshine hours were 80 percent or less of normal in Waikato, King Country, Nelson, and coastal north Canterbury, and
less than 90 percent of normal in Taranaki, inland Canterbury, and Otago. They were near normal elsewhere.
Near record December sunshine hours were recorded at:
Location December
sunshine
(hours) Percentage
of normal Year
Records began Comments
Taumarunui 122a 66 1947 2nd lowest
Christchurch Airport 151b 68 1949 2nd lowest
a missing 22 Dec. b missing 31 Dec.
DECEMBER'S CLIMATE IN THE FOUR MAIN CENTRES
Of the four main centres Christchurch was the driest, and Dunedin wettest. Rainfall was above average in Dunedin, near
average in Auckland and Wellington, and below average in Christchurch. Temperatures were above average in all four main
centres, especially Wellington. Sunshine hours were near average in Auckland, and Wellington, and below average in
Christchurch and Dunedin.
Location Dec.
Mean
Temp.
(¢XC) Dep.
from normal
(¢XC) Dec.
rainfall
(mm) % of
normal Dec.
Sunshine
(hours) % of
Normal
Auckland 19.1 +1.0 Above average 96 106 Near average 220 105 Near average
Wellington 17.4 +2.0 2nd highest 76 89 Near average 233 103 Near average
Christchurch 17.5 +1.4 Above average 36 73 Below average 151 68 Well below average
Dunedin 15.5
+1.6 2nd highest 115 140 Above average 145 86 Below average
a Auckland Airport
HIGHLIGHTS AND EXTREME EVENTS
- Temperature
The highest temperatures during December 2005 were 31.7 ¢XC recorded at Darfield on the 30th, and 31.5 ¢XC at Napier
Airport on the 31st. The lowest temperature for the month was 1.5 ¢XC at Chateau Ruapehu on the 25th.
- Rainfall
Rainfall totalled over 100 mm at Cape Reinga on the 13th, and over 50 mm in parts of Northland, Thames, Bay of Plenty,
and Taranaki from the 15-17th. Torrential rainfall occurred in Wanganui during the afternoon on the 13th totalling 20 mm
in 20 minutes.
- The highest wind gust for the month was 137 km/h from the northwest, at Castlepoint on the 4th.
- Hail, thunderstorms, and tornadoes
Marble-sized hailstones occurred during thunderstorms in Waimatuku, Southland on the 5th, after which four tornadoes
were sighted, with some damage to property.
Sudden and brief tornado-like winds occurred in Rotorua on the 6th damaging property. Frequency lightning strikes
occurred in Taranaki on the same day, leaving over 3000 people temporarily without power. Tornado-like winds and intense
hail also occurred at Heddon, Southland on the 15th, felling trees and destroying crops.
ENDS