2009: extreme temperature swings

NIWA MEDIA RELEASE: 13 JANUARY 2010

New Zealand national climate summary

New Zealand’s climate for 2009 was characterised by frequent see-saws in temperature. Heat waves occurred in January and the start of February; May was the coldest on record; October had its lowest temperatures since 1945; and August was the warmest August ever. In individual months (especially September and November), daily temperatures frequently broke long-standing records, with extremely cold temperatures often occurring within a week or so of record hot events. Overall, there were two months with above average temperatures and four with below average temperatures.

For the year as a whole, temperatures were near average (within 0.5°C of the long-term average) for most of the country, but were between 0.5 and 1.0°C cooler than average in parts of Auckland, Waikato, Manawatu, southern Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Wellington, Marlborough, inland Canterbury, and eastern Otago. The national average temperature for 2009 was 12.3°C, 0.2°C below the long-term normal. The years 2000-2009 were a warm decade overall, with a 10-year average temperature of 12.6°C, 0.1°C above the 1971-2000 normal.

Rainfall during the year was below normal (50 to 80 percent of normal) in parts of Auckland, central North Island, northern Hawkes Bay, southern Wairarapa, north Canterbury, inland south Canterbury, and central Otago. Other areas received near-normal rainfall.

Nelson was the sunniest centre in 2009, recording 2571 hours, followed by Tauranga with 2540 hours, then Blenheim with 2477 hours.

Of the main centres, Tauranga was the warmest and sunniest, Wellington was the wettest, and Christchurch was the driest.

The broad climate setting changed from La Niña at the start of the year, to moderate El Niño conditions by the spring of 2009.

Notable climate features of 2009 (in various parts of the country) included the record warmth of January, the heatwaves of early February, and the record cold and extreme wet of May. At the end of June, Gisborne declared a State of Emergency due to flooding. An unusually icy, snowy period prevailed throughout June and July, followed by the record warmth of August, which contributed to a severe avalanche season. Unseasonable snowfalls then characterised the coldest October in 64 years. An extremely windy and dry November and December followed, resulting in significant soil moisture deficits in Northland, Central North Island, Canterbury, and Otago.

Section 1: The year in review

Broadly speaking, the overall climate (with clear geographical exceptions) was as follows:

• January: Very dry and sunny. Record warm in eastern areas.

• February: Heat waves at start, then a cool change. Wet and cloudy.

• March: Extremely dry, very sunny, and cool.

• April: A month of contrasts.

• May: Coldest May on record. Very wet.

• June and July: Cold and snowy.

• August: Warmest August ever. Very dry in eastern areas.

• September: Very sunny, with extreme temperature swings.

• October: Coldest October since 1945. Unseasonable snow.

• November: Extremely dry and windy, with extreme temperature swings.

• December: Sunny and dry, particularly in the north and east

January: Very dry and sunny; record warmth in eastern areas

January rainfall was less than half of normal over much of the country, the exceptions being Gisborne and Southland (with well above normal rainfall) and Manawatu and northern Taranaki (receiving near normal rainfall). At the end of January, soil moisture levels were below normal for most North Island areas except Gisborne and northern Manawatu, as well in Tasman district, northern Westland, Canterbury and south Otago. It was a sunny month for most regions, except Southland and Otago. January temperatures were well above average along the South Island east coast from Kaikoura to Mosgiel, and several sites in Canterbury and Otago recorded their highest mean January maximum temperatures ever. It was also warmer than normal in the east of the North Island, western Bay of Plenty, inland Canterbury and Otago, and much of Southland.

February: Heat waves at start, then a cool change; wet and cloudy.

Temperatures flip-flopped from above average over the first 12 days of February (which included record high temperatures at numerous locations) to below average for the remainder of the month. Heatwave conditions were experienced over the country from 7 to 12 February when temperatures of 34°C or more occurred in many locations on each day. February was wet for most of country except in the southwest. It was also very cloudy, with most areas recording below normal sunshine totals.

March: Extremely dry, very sunny, and cool

Record low March rainfall was experienced in parts of Wairarapa, Marlborough, north Canterbury, north and central Otago. It was also very dry in other areas, except the western Bay of Plenty and eastern Otago. Record high March sunshine totals were observed in Northland, Auckland, King Country and the central South Island, and sunshine totals were also above normal elsewhere. It was a cool month, with below average temperatures over most of the country.

April: A month of contrasts

April was a month of contrasts. It was wet in the north and west, dry in the south and east; cool in the north and east, warm in the south and west. Exceptionally low rainfall for April (less than 20 percent of normal) occurred in southern Hawke’s Bay and Tararua District. This resulted in significant soil moisture deficits there. Other eastern areas of both islands, around Auckland, and along the south coast of the South Island received below normal April rainfall (between 20 and 60 percent of normal). In contrast, double normal April rainfall was recorded in Northland and parts of the West Coast and Southern Alps. April temperatures were below average over most of the central and eastern parts of the North Island, while parts of the West Coast, coastal Fiordland, Southland and south Otago were warmer than average by between 0.5 and 1.5 °C.

May: Coldest May on record; very wet

It was an extremely early start to winter. The lowest May temperatures ever recorded, and very wet conditions, were experienced in most regions of New Zealand.

June–July: Cold and snowy

June and July continued cold. Slow-moving winter anticyclones brought extremely frosty, yet sunny, conditions between 16 and 26 June. It was extremely wet in the east of the North Island in June, due to heavy rain on June 28-29th. A Civil Defence Emergency was established in the Gisborne District on 30 June, due to flooding and slips. There were three extreme snow/ice events in June, and seven in July.

August: Warmest ever; very dry in eastern areas

Nationally, it was the warmest August ever, since records began 155 years ago. All regions of New Zealand experienced record-high August mean temperatures, but extreme high daily maximum temperature records were also set in numerous locations on August 15-16, and August 28-30. The remarkable warmth of August, combined with heavy snowfall in previous months, resulted in a series of major avalanches in South Island alpine areas. It was very dry in eastern areas of both Islands, with rainfall totals less than half of August normal.

September: Very sunny, with extreme temperature swings

It was a very sunny start to spring, with sunshine totals between 110 and 140 percent of normal across the country. Although temperatures were close to normal for the month overall, extreme temperature swings were typical. It was record-breaking cold on September 5-6 in many locations, when a large anticyclone became slow-moving over the country; and record warm on September 14 in eastern areas of the South Island during an extremely strong northwesterly wind event. A deep, wintry low brought record-cold temperatures, high winds, and snow and ice to the South Island on the 24th.

October: Coldest October since 1945; unseasonable snow

Nationally, it was the coldest October in 64 years, with all-time record low October temperatures in many areas. Temperatures were more than 2.0°C below average throughout eastern and alpine areas of the South Island, as well as in the lower half of the North Island. Record low October temperatures were recorded on the 4th/5th in most North Island locations, and on the 9th at many South Island sites. The exceptionally heavy snow event on the 4th/5th in the Hawkes Bay and Central North Island was estimated to be the worst in October since 1967. Well above normal October rainfall was recorded in the east of the North Island, as well as in Wellington, Marlborough and parts of Canterbury. In comparison, it was very dry and extremely sunny on the West Coast of the South Island.

November: Extremely dry and windy with extreme temperature swings

November was extremely dry in the northeast of the North Island, and eastern South Island. Record low November rainfall was observed in Northland, parts of Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Canterbury, Otago and inland Southland. By the end of November, significant soil moisture deficits were seen in the northeast of the North Island, especially Northland, as well the Kaikoura Coast, Canterbury and Otago. It was also an exceedingly windy month. Several extreme temperature swings were observed during the month, with record cold November temperatures reported in the first half of the month, and record hot conditions observed in the second half of November.

December: Very sunny in the north and east

December sunshine totals were well above normal in the north and east of the North Island and parts of North Canterbury. Well below normal rainfall was recorded in much of the Far North District for December. It was also drier-than-normal in Central North Island, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, southern Hawkes Bay, Tararua District, Wairarapa, Northern South Island, Canterbury and Otago. Soil moisture levels on 31 December 2009 were well below normal in the Far North, Central North Island and Eastern Bay of Plenty. Temperatures were near average (between -0.5°C and 0.5°C from average) for most of the country.

NIWA analyses of month-by-month records show:

• The highest annual average temperature for 2009 was 15.8°C at Whangarei, followed by Kaitaia and Kaikohe with an equal-second of 15.6°C.

• The highest recorded extreme temperature of the year (38.0°C) occurred in Culverden on 8 February. It was the highest February maximum temperature ever recorded at this location. The second highest temperature for the year was 37.8°C in Cheviot on 8 February and the third highest was 37.3°C in Wairoa (East Cape) recorded on 1 February.

• The lowest air temperature for the year was -11.7 ºC recorded at Middlemarch on 19 July, followed by -11.0°C at Lake Tekapo and -10.4°C at Tara Hills (both recorded on 14 July).

• The highest recorded wind gust for the year (as archived in the NIWA climate database) was 184 km/h at Southwest Cape, Stewart Island, on 4 November (a November record at this site), with equal-second 183 km/h gusts also recorded at Southwest Cape (8 February), Palmerston North (8 June), and White Island (20 June) during the year.

• Mount Cook received the top three highest 1-day rainfalls in 2009; being 341 mm on 27 April, 321 mm on 16 May and 295 mm on 26 April.

• The driest rainfall recording locations were Ranfurly in Central Otago with 263mm of rain for the year, followed by Clyde with 299 mm, and then Middlemarch with 365 mm.

• Of the regularly reporting gauges, Cropp River in the Hokitika River catchment recorded the highest rainfall with 10956 mm, followed by Doon (Fiordland) with 7266 mm and North Egmont with 7040 mm.

• Wellington was the wettest main centre with 1274 mm; in contrast Christchurch was the driest of the six main centres with 589 mm.

• Nelson was the sunniest centre in 2009, recording 2571 hours, followed by Tauranga (the sunniest of the main centres) with 2540 hours, then Blenheim with 2477 hours.

• Whakatane had instrument problems at the start of the year so an annual sunshine total could not be computed. However, their 8-month total from May to December (1614 hours) is only one hour less than the Nelson total over the same period so they will definitely be in the race for 2010.

Section 2: Prevailing climate patterns – Switch from La Niña to El Niño

Overall, mean sea level pressures were below average to the east of New Zealand in 2009, resulting in more frequent southerly winds than normal over the country. Warmer than normal sea temperatures prevailed around New Zealand from January to April, but enhanced southerly winds in May brought much colder than normal seas to our coasts, which generally prevailed for the remainder of the year.

The start of the year was dominated by a weakening La Niña event in the equatorial Pacific. During autumn and winter, the tropical Pacific climate was neutral (neither El Niño nor La Niña). A weak El Niño developed in the tropical Pacific in early spring, and had strengthened to moderate intensity by November.

Over New Zealand, monthly wind-flow patterns were highly variable throughout the year:

• January: Settled, with frequent anticyclones. Warm, dry, and sunny.

• February: Heatwaves at first, but ended cold and unsettled in the south.

• March: Settled. Dry, sunny and cool.

• April: Wet in the north and west, dry in the south and east. More northerly winds than normal.

• May: Stormy and record cold; frequent southerly winds and snowfalls.

• June: Cold and frosty; with wintertime highs and frequent southerly winds.

• July: Cold, with frequent southwest winds and snowfalls.

• August: Record warm, with much more frequent northerly winds than normal.

• September: Settled, with stronger than normal northerly winds.

• October: Extremely cold, frequent southeast winds and uncommonly late snowfalls.

• November: Extremely windy and dry, with frequent strong southwest winds.

• December: More frequent southwesterly winds than normal.

Section 3: Temperature – Slightly cooler than average year

The national average temperature in 2009 was 12.3°C, 0.2°C below the 1971–2000 normal. In 2009, there were two months with above average temperatures and four with below average temperatures. The warmest location was Whangarei, with a mean temperature for the year of 15.8°C (0.1 °C above normal).

The average temperature during the decade 2000-2009 was 12.6°C, 0.1°C above the 1971-2000 normal. This continues the series of relatively warm decades experienced in New Zealand since the 1970s. From the historical 7-station series, the 2000s were just 0.02°C warmer than the 1980s (previously the warmest decade on record for New Zealand). From a separate 11-station series, the 2000s were 0.08–0.20°C warmer than the 1980s.

In Kaitaia, Warkworth, Dannevirke, and Le Bons Bay, 2009 was the coolest year on record (based on averaging the mean daily temperature).

Kaikohe and Appleby recorded their highest average maximum temperature on record and Kaitaia, Pukekohe and Dannevirke recorded their lowest average maximum temperature on record (based on averaging the maximum temperature recorded each day).

Taumarunui, Dannevirke, Hanmer, Le Bons Bay and Queenstown recorded their lowest average minimum temperature on record (based on averaging the minimum temperature recorded each day).

Table 1: Near or record high or low annual average temperatures for 2009:

Location / Mean temperature (°C) / Departure (°C) / Year records began / Comments

Mean Temperature / / / /

Kaikohe / 15.8 / 1.2 / 1973 / 2nd-highest

/ / / /

Kaitaia / 14.3 / -1.3 / 1967 / Lowest

Warkworth / 14.3 / -0.9 / 1966 / Lowest

Kumeu, Auckland / 14.0 / -0.4 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Pukekohe / 13.6 / -0.8 / 1969 / 3rd-lowest

Port Taharoa / 14.6 / -0.5 / 1973 / 3rd-lowest

Taumarunui / 12.2 / -0.8 / 1947 / 4th-lowest

Dannevirke / 11.0 / -1.5 / 1951 / Lowest

Castlepoint / 13.1 / -0.9 / 1972 / 2nd-lowest

Martinborough / 12.3 / -0.8 / 1986 / 2nd-lowest

Ngawi / 13.9 / -0.2 / 1972 / 3rd-lowest

Hawera / 12.1 / -0.3 / 1977 / 3rd-lowest

Wanganui / 13.2 / -0.6 / 1987 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim / 12.0 / -0.6 / 1932 / 3rd-lowest

Arthurs Pass / 7.2 / -1.6 / 1973 / 4th-lowest

Waipara West / 11.9 / -0.3 / 1973 / 4th-lowest

Le Bons Bay / 11.0 / -0.3 / 1984 / Lowest

Manapouri / 9.0 / -0.8 / 1963 / 4th-lowest

Queenstown / 9.3 / -0.3 / 1871 / 4th-lowest

Lumsden / 9.2 / -0.5 / 1982 / 4th-lowest

Balclutha, Telford / 9.5 / -0.9 / 1964 / 2nd-lowest

/ / / /

Mean Maximum Temperature / / / /

Kerikeri / 20.4 / 0.4 / 1981 / 3rd-highest

Kaikohe / 19.5 / 1.3 / 1973 / Highest

Whangaparaoa / 18.8 / 0.8 / 1982 / 4th-highest

Appleby / 18.5 / 1.1 / 1943 / Highest

/ / / /

Kaitaia / 18.2 / -1.3 / 1967 / Lowest

Dargaville / 18.3 / -1.3 / 1943 / 2nd-lowest

Pukekohe / 18.0 / -0.5 / 1969 / Lowest

Dannevirke / 15.4 / -1.5 / 1951 / Lowest

Castlepoint / 15.9 / -1.2 / 1972 / 2nd-lowest

Martinborough / 17.5 / -0.9 / 1986 / 4th-lowest

Ngawi / 17.0 / -0.2 / 1972 / 4th-lowest

Hawera / 16.1 / -0.5 / 1977 / 4th-lowest

Wanganui / 17.0 / -0.6 / 1987 / 4th-lowest

Arthurs Pass / 11.3 / -1.9 / 1973 / 3rd-lowest

Waipara West / 17.1 / -0.6 / 1973 / 3rd-lowest

Le Bons Bay / 14.3 / -0.2 / 1984 / 4th-lowest

Manapouri / 13.8 / -0.8 / 1963 / 4th-lowest

Gore / 13.6 / -0.6 / 1971 / 2nd-lowest

Balclutha, Telford / 14.1 / -1.1 / 1964 / 2nd-lowest

/ / / /

Mean Minimum temperature / / / /

Kaikohe / 12.0 / 0.9 / 1973 / 2nd-highest

Cromwell / 5.6 / 0.8 / 1949 / 3rd-highest

/ / / /

Kaitaia / 10.4 / -1.4 / 1967 / 2nd-lowest

Warkworth / 10.1 / -1.5 / 1966 / 2nd-lowest

Whangaparaoa / 12.4 / -0.3 / 1982 / 4th-lowest

Kumeu, Auckland / 9.4 / -0.5 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Port Taharoa / 11.1 / -0.6 / 1973 / 2nd-lowest

Te Kuiti / 7.5 / -0.9 / 1959 / 2nd-lowest

Taumarunui / 6.2 / -1.2 / 1947 / Lowest

Takapau Plains / 6.6 / -0.9 / 1962 / 3rd-lowest

Dannevirke / 6.6 / -1.4 / 1951 / Lowest

Castlepoint / 10.3 / -0.7 / 1972 / 3rd-lowest

Martinborough / 7.1 / -0.8 / 1986 / 2nd-lowest

Ngawi / 10.7 / -0.2 / 1972 / 4th-lowest

Waipawa / 6.2 / -1.1 / 1945 / 2nd-lowest

Wallaceville / 6.8 / -1.1 / 1939 / 3rd-lowest

Wanganui / 9.4 / -0.6 / 1987 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim / 5.8 / -1.1 / 1932 / 2nd-lowest

Hanmer Forest / 2.6 / -1.3 / 1906 / Lowest

Le Bons Bay / 7.8 / -0.3 / 1984 / Lowest

Dunedin / 4.6 / -0.1 / 1947 / 2nd-lowest

Queenstown / 3.9 / -0.4 / 1871 / Lowest

Balclutha, Telford / 4.8 / -0.8 / 1964 / 2nd-lowest

New records for temperature extremes were set during the February 2009 heat wave, with extremely high day and night time temperatures especially in the east of the North Island.

Table 2: Near or record high or low annual temperature extremes for 2009:

Location / Temperature (°C) / Date of occurrence / Year records began / Comments

Highest extreme maximums / / / /

Whangarei / 30.7 / Jan-02nd / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Whakatane / 32.1 / Nov-24th / 1975 / Highest

Rotorua / 30.0 / Feb-09th / 1964 / 3rd-highest

Takapau Plains / 32.8 / Jan-08th / 1962 / Highest

Martinborough / 34.1 / Feb-08th / 1986 / 3rd-highest

Napier / 36.7 / Feb-01st / 1868 / Highest

Hastings / 37.1 / Feb-01st / 1965 / Highest

Wallaceville / 30.6 / Feb-08th / 1939 / 4th-highest

Hawera / 26.8 / Feb-08th / 1977 / 3rd-highest

Waiouru / 28.0 / Jan-08th / 1962 / 4th-highest

Takaka / 31.6 / Feb-07th / 1978 / Highest

Farewell Spit / 29.5 / Feb-08th / 1971 / Highest

Waipara West / 36.2 / Feb-08th / 1973 / 3rd-highest

Lumsden / 28.8 / Jan-24th / 1982 / 4th-highest

Nugget Point / 28.7 / Jan-25th / 1970 / Equal 4th-highest

/ / / /

Highest extreme minimums / / / /

Warkworth / 21.4 / Feb-12th / 1966 / Equal highest

Tauranga / 22.5 / Feb-11th / 1941 / Highest

Whakatane / 22.0 / Feb-12th / 1975 / Highest

Rotorua / 20.2 / Feb-12th / 1972 / 2nd-highest

Taupo / 19.9 / Feb-12th / 1950 / Equal 2nd-highest

Auckland Aero / 22.1 / Feb-12th / 1961 / 2nd-highest

Hamilton / 21.3 / Feb-12th / 1946 / 3rd-highest

Taumarunui / 20.9 / Feb-12th / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Hastings / 21.4 / Jan-03rd / 1972 / 3rd-highest

Waiouru / 17.4 / Feb-12th / 1972 / 3rd-highest

Nelson / 19.9 / Feb-10th / 1943 / Equal 4th-highest

Lake Tekapo / 20.8 / Feb-09th / 1928 / Highest

Tara Hills / 19.7 / Feb-09th / 1949 / 2nd-highest

Wanaka / 19.6 / Feb-09th / 1972 / 2nd-highest

Manapouri / 17.6 / Feb-09th / 1973 / 3rd-highest

Lumsden / 19.6 / Feb-09th / 1982 / Highest

Cromwell / 23.3 / Feb-09th / 1949 / Highest

Nugget Point / 15.6 / Jan-25th / 1972 / 3rd-highest

/ / / /

Lowest extreme maximums / / / /

Hamilton / 7.0 / May-22nd / 1946 / 4th-lowest

Stratford / 5.4 / May-31st / 1972 / Equal lowest

Hawera / 7.8 / Jul-11th / 1977 / Equal 2nd-lowest

Waiouru / 0.9 / Oct-05th / 1972 / 4th-lowest

Arthurs Pass / 0.2 / May-31st / 1973 / 2nd-lowest

Manapouri / 2.1 / Jun-22nd / 1973 / 4th-lowest

/ / / /

Lowest extreme minimums / / / /

Warkworth / -1.3 / Jun-05th / 1966 / Lowest

Port Taharoa / 0.5 / Jun-17th / 1973 / Lowest

Paraparaumu / -4.4 / Jun-08th / 1953 / 3rd-lowest

Hawera / -3.3 / Jun-08th / 1977 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Blenheim / -5.5 / Jun-17th / 1932 / 4th-lowest

Section 4: Sunshine – Above normal in many locations

It was a sunny year, with most locations in New Zealand recording near or above normal sunshine totals. Sunshine hours were above normal in Northland, central areas of the North Island, East Cape, southern Hawke’s Bay, West Coast, Canterbury and southeast Otago. Kaitaia, Tauranga, Taumarunui and Greymouth experienced their sunniest years on record. The sunniest centre in 2009 was Nelson, recording 2571 hours, followed by Tauranga (the sunniest of the main centres) with 2540 hours, then Blenheim with 2477 hours. The Whakatane site had instrument problems at the start of the year so an annual total could not be computed. However, their 8-month total from May to December (1614 hours) is only one hour less than the Nelson total over the same period so they will definitely be in the race for 2010.

Table 3: Near or record high sunshine hours for the year 2009:

Location / Sunshine (hours) / Percent of normal / Records began / Comments

Kaitaia / 2326 / 111 / 1985 / Highest

Dargaville / 2067 / 110 / 1943 / 3rd-highest

Tauranga / 2540 / 113 / 1933 / Highest

Taumarunui / 2019 / 124 / 1947 / Highest

Waipawa / 2295 / 121 / 1945 / 3rd-highest

Greymouth / 2115 / 126 / 1947 / Highest

Balclutha, Telford / 1958 / 120 / 1964 / 2nd-highest

Section 5: Rainfall – Below normal in many areas

Rainfall during the year was below normal (50 to 80 percent of normal) in parts of Auckland, central North Island, northern Hawkes Bay, southern Wairarapa, north Canterbury, inland south Canterbury and central Otago. Other areas received near-normal rainfall.

Table 4: Near or record low annual rainfall for the year 2009:

Location / Rainfall (mm) / Percentage of normal / Year records

began / Comments

Whangarei / 1066 / 76 / 1937 / 4th-lowest

Taupo / 712 / 65 / 1949 / Lowest

Lake Rotoiti / 1273 / 79 / 1933 / 2nd-lowest

Wanaka / 495 / 66 / 1927 / 4th-lowest

Lumsden / 734 / 78 / 1982 / 2nd-lowest

Of the regularly reporting gauges monitored by NIWA, Cropp River in the Hokitika River catchment recorded the highest rainfall with 10956 mm, followed by Doon (Fiordland) with 7266 mm for 2009. Ranfurly in Central Otago was the driest of the sites where NIWA records rainfall, with 263 mm of rain for the year (62 percent of normal), followed by Clyde with 299 mm (72 percent of normal), and then Middlemarch with 365 mm (70 percent of normal).

Near record values of annual 1-day rainfall extremes occurred at only two localities; Kaitaia and Tara Hills.

Table 5: One day rainfall extremes for 2009:

Location / 1-day extreme rainfall (mm) / Date / Year records began / Comments

Kaitaia / 111 / Apr-25th / 1985 / 3rd-highest

Tara Hills / 70 / May-16th / 1949 / 2nd-highest

Section 6: 2009 climate in the six main centres

Tauranga was the warmest and sunniest of the six main centres (the Tauranga 2009 sunshine hours total was the highest ever at this location since records began in 1933). Wellington was the wettest of the main centres, and Christchurch was the driest.

Table 6: 2009 Climate in the six main centres

Location / Mean temp. (°C) / Departure from normal (°C) / / Rainfall (mm) / % of normal / / Sunshine (hours) / % of normal /

Aucklanda / 14.6 / -0.7 / Below average / 955 / 81% / Well below normal / 2176 / 108% / Above normal

Taurangab / 15.1 / 0.5 / Above average / 1221 / 101% / Near normal / 2540 / 113% / Highest

Hamiltonc / 13.2 / -0.3 / Below average / 1088 / 90% / Below normal / 2120g / 106% / Above normal

Wellingtond / 12.4 / -0.4 / Below average / 1274 / 106% / Above normal / 2079 / 101% / Near normal

Christchurche / 11.1 / -0.5 / Below average / 589 / 94% / Below normal / 2170 / 103% / Near normal

Dunedinf / 10.8 / -0.3 / Below average / 736 / 91% / Below normal / 1704 / 107% / Above normal

a Mangere b Tauranga Airport c Hamilton Airport d Kelburn e Christchurch Airport f Musselburgh g Ruakura

Section 7: Significant extremes

Floods

There were numerous heavy rainfall events during 2009, about fifteen of which produced significant flooding and property damage. The worst flooding events during 2009 were those of 27 April on the West Coast, 16-20 May in Canterbury, Otago, and alpine areas of the South Island, and 28-30 June in Gisborne and the Manawatu-Wanganui region (causing a State of Emergency to be declared in Gisborne).

On April 27, Mt Cook recorded 341 mm of rainfall (its highest April 1-day total since records began in 1928). Torrential rain also occurred in Greymouth on the 27th, and roads became impassable there. At least nine homes were evacuated on the eastern side of town. Flooding also forced the closure of SH6 at Punakaiki, and between Haast and Makarora. Trampers were stranded in the Mueller Hut in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, and about 120 people were evacuated from the Milford Track by helicopter. On 17 May, SH1 south of Ashburton, was closed for several hours after the Rangitata River burst its banks. The main railway line between Rangitata River and Temuka was also closed by flooding. Inland, 33 people were evacuated in Omarama, as water was up to 1 m deep in places after a stopbank designed to cope with a 100-year flood was overtopped. A major slip closed SH8, on the Omarama side of the Lindis Pass. On 18 May, farmers near Balclutha used boats to rescue sheep stranded by the flooded Clutha River. The Skippers Road in Queenstown was closed until further notice, after slips and washouts. The previous three days of rain had also damaged many roads in the Queenstown Lakes area, with access requiring four-wheel drive vehicles. On 29 June, heavy rain caused slips and the closure of SH4 between Raetihi and Wanganui. SH57 between Palmerston North and Linton was flooded, and slips occurred in the Manawatu Gorge. On 30 June, the residents of the small settlement of Mangatuna just out of Gisborne were evacuated following heavy rainfall. Many slips affected the Napier-Taupo Road, and SH2 between Napier and Wairoa, although both remained open. A Civil Defence Emergency was established in the Gisborne District on the morning of the 30th.

Snow

It was a very snowy year, with an extended snow season that started in April and finished in October. Numerous snowfall events, and the record warmth of August, contributed to a high-risk avalanche season in late winter/early spring. Significant snowfalls, which were widespread and to low levels, were observed 31 May, 16 June, 2-5 July, and 4-6 October.

On 31 May, snow and slips closed the highway between Opotiki and Gisborne as wintry conditions brought snow and ice to the country's roads. Snow fell to sea level along Wellington's south coast and from Southland to Kaikoura, and blanketed high-country passes, including the Rimutaka Hill Road summit and Desert Road. Snow settled to about 200 m inland and elsewhere around Canterbury, with about 8 cm on the ground near Springfield and in parts of Otago. On 16 June, Dunedin Airport and many roads were closed, after snow fell to low levels in Otago and Southland. Flights were cancelled and some schools in Dunedin were closed for the day. Heavy snow on 2-3 July closed the Desert Road between Rangipo and Waiouru overnight, and also closed the Haast Pass. Cromwell was cut off, and schools in the area were closed. A series of avalanches on 1-2 August blocked the only road access to Milford Sound for 10 days, as both ends of the Homer Tunnel were buried in more than 100,000 tonnes of debris. The snow on October 4 – 6 in the Hawkes Bay and Central North Island was exceptionally late and very heavy, and estimated to be the worst in October since 1967. Hundreds of travellers were stranded as numerous roads were closed, and there were heavy lambing losses. Snowfall was also observed in Taranaki, Waikato and Rotorua on 6 October, for the first time in about 30 years around Rotorua.

Wind

It was a very windy year overall, particularly in May.

Gale force winds on 3 January caused havoc in Canterbury, with more than 10,000 homes left without power. Strong winds buffetted Wellington on 15 and 17 May, damaging power lines and cutting power, cancelling flights and causing property damage. On 23-24 May, southerly gales hammered Wellington, closing roads, tearing boats from their moorings, and damaging trees, roofs and power lines. Cook Strait ferries were cancelled, and flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted. On 23 July, Wellington and the Wairarapa were affected by high winds, which brought down trees onto high voltage lines, briefly cutting power to about 4,000 customers from Masterton to Castlepoint. Further north, powerlines between Tokomaru Bay and Ruatoria were also damaged by the strong northwesterlies. On September 14th, record-high wind gusts were experienced over the southern half of the South Island during a storm-force northwesterly event. Damage included felled power lines and lifted roofs on the Otago peninsula, and in Arrowtown, a tree felled by the wind crashed onto a vehicle, killing the driver. Gusty cross-winds on 4-5 October forced the closure of New Plymouth airport for 20 hours. The strong winds also brought down trees and cut the power supply to about 1,000 properties in Taranaki, and about 1,200 homes in the Rotorua District. High winds, together with heavy snow, brought down trees and power poles across the central North Island, leaving about 1,300 people without power. Some properties were without power for four days. On 13-15 November, strong winds caused havoc in Canterbury and Masterton, grounding helicopters and planes, felling trees, and downing power lines.

Drought

Soil moisture levels at the end of January were below normal for much of the North Island (except Gisborne and northern Manawatu), as well as in the Tasman District, northern Westland, north and south Canterbury, and south Otago. Rainfall in the latter part of February returned soil moisture levels to near normal status across much of the country. By April, significant soil moisture deficits (more than 50 mm below normal levels) had re-developed in southern Hawkes Bay and the Tararua District, but were short-lived due to wet conditions in these areas in May. After a windy and extremely dry November, significant soil moisture deficits (more than 50 mm below normal levels) had developed in Otago, Canterbury, the Kaikoura coast, Northland, and parts of Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, central North Island, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. However, rainfall in the first week of December returned soil moisture levels back to near normal in most regions, except Northland, central North Island, Bay of Plenty and Otago.

Further detailed information about significant climate and weather events for 2009 is attached.

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Note for editors:

Climate measurements have been made in New Zealand for about 150 years, with reasonable coverage of reliable data from at least 1900. NIWA makes its raw climate data publicly available for free on-line. Journalists are advised, however, to take extreme care when interpreting trends from raw data to ensure they have not been compromised by changes in site location, urbanisation, exposure, or instrumentation over time. If in any doubt, please call us.

Significant weather and climate events – 2009

Section 8: High temperatures

2009 was notable for two remarkably warm months (January and August), and a heat wave in early February. Many new records of extreme monthly maximum temperatures were established in these two months, as well as record high daily maximum temperatures on the following dates: 8, 16 and 24-25 January, 7 -12 February, 15, 25, 28, 30 August, 14 September, and 23-24, 29-30 November.

• January

January temperatures were well above average (between 1.5 and 2.5°C above normal) along the east coast of the South Island from Kaikoura to Mosgiel, with many January records set in this area. Above average temperatures (between 0.5 and 1.5°C above normal) were experienced in western Bay of Plenty, eastern North Island, inland Canterbury and Otago and much of Southland. The highest temperature during January 2009 was 37.2°C recorded at Waione in the Wairarapa on the 8th (the highest January maximum temperature for this location and the equal 9th highest January temperature for anywhere in New Zealand – the highest was 38.9°C in Ruatoria in January 1979). Culverdon also recorded 37.0°C on the 24th (the 2nd-highest January maximum temperature for this location). Takapau Plains (southern Hawkes Bay), Ohakune and Cheviot also received their highest ever January maximum temperatures with readings of 32.8°C and 30.0°C on the 8th, and 36.3°C on the 16th, respectively.

• Heatwave: 7 -12 February

The highest temperature during February 2009 was 38.0°C recorded at Culverden on the 8th (the highest February maximum temperature ever recorded for this location). Heatwave conditions were experienced over the country from 7 to 12 February, when temperatures of 34°C or more occurred in many locations on each day. Many locations experienced their highest recorded February maximum and minimum temperatures during the heat wave.

• August

It was an early start to spring. Temperatures were more than 2°C above average in central Otago and the Lakes District, and parts of: Canterbury, Northland, Auckland, and the western Bay of Plenty. Well above average temperatures (between 1.2°C and 2°C above average) were recorded elsewhere, except for Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay (with temperatures between 0.5°C and 1.2°C above average). It was the warmest August since records began 155 years ago, with a national average temperature of 10.2°C (1.7°C above the long-term August average). Maximum temperatures at many locations were the highest ever recorded for August.

• 14 September

The highest temperature during September 2009 was 29.0°C recorded at Alexandra on the 14th (a September record for this site), associated with severe north-westerly winds experienced over the southern South Island on that day. Numerous other locations also experienced record or near-record high September maximum temperatures on the 14th.

• 23-24, 29-30 November

Record or near-record warm afternoon conditions were experienced in the east of the South Island on 21 and 23 November, in strong north-westerly events. Several North Island climate stations also registered record high afternoon temperatures on the day after (the 24th), or on November 29 and 30, also associated with strong north-westerly winds.

• December

Kaikohe recorded its highest ever December temperature on the 26th (27.8°C). Gisborne, Napier, Blenheim and Arthurs Pass all recorded their highest ever December minimum temperatures during the month.

Table 7: Extremes of daily maximum temperature in 2009 were recorded at:

Location / Maximum temperature (°C) / Date of occurrence / Records began / Comments

January / / / /

Kaikohe / 28.4 / 1st / 1973 / 4th-highest

Whangarei / 30.7 / 2nd / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Whangaparaoa / 27.2 / 25th / 1982 / Equal 2nd-highest

Whitianga / 29.6 / 25th / 1962 / 3rd-highest

Turangi / 31.4 / 31st / 1968 / Equal highest

Takapau Plains / 32.8 / 8th / 1962 / Highest

East Taratahi / 34.6 / 8th / 1906 / 3rd-highest

Waione / 37.2 / 8th / 1992 / Highest

Martinborough / 33.3 / 31st / 1986 / 4th-highest

Wallaceville / 30.2 / 31st / 1939 / 3rd-highest

Ohakune / 30.0 / 8th / 1962 / Highest

Waiouru / 28.2 / 8th / 1962 / 2nd-highest

Takaka / 30.5 / 23rd / 1978 / 4th-highest

Farewell Spit / 27.9 / 31st / 1971 / Equal 2nd-highest

Lake Rotoiti / 31.0 / 26th / 1965 / Equal 2nd-highest

Puysegur Point / 23.4 / 24th / 1978 / Equal 2nd-highest

Appleby / 30.3 / 31st / 1943 / 4th-highest

Hanmer Forest / 34.7 / 24th / 1906 / 4th-highest

Culverden / 37.0 / 24th / 1928 / 2nd-highest

Cheviot / 36.3 / 16th / 1982 / Highest

Waipara West / 35.2 / 16th / 1973 / 4th-highest

Darfield / 35.4 / 25th / 1939 / 2nd-highest

Christchurch / 35.7 / 8th / 1863 / 3rd-highest

Lincoln / 35.0 / 8th / 1881 / Equal 4th-highest

Le Bons Bay / 30.6 / 8th / 1984 / 2nd-highest

Woodbury / 34.0 / 23rd / 1973 / 2nd-highest

Dunedin / 32.0 / 23rd / 1947 / 3rd-highest

Gore / 30.4 / 24th / 1971 / 2nd-highest

Tiwai Point / 29.0 / 24th / 1970 / 2nd-highest

Nugget Point / 28.7 / 25th / 1970 / Equal 2nd-highest

February / / / /

Kaitaia / 30.4 / 7th / 1985 / Highest

Kerikeri / 28.9 / 8th / 1981 / Equal 4th-highest

Kaikohe / 31.6 / 8th / 1973 / Highest

Whangarei Aero / 30.5 / 12th / 1967 / Equal 2nd-highest

Warkworth / 29.4 / 12th / 1966 / Highest

Whangaparaoa / 28.5 / 8th / 1982 / Highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 31.3 / 12th / 1978 / Highest

Whenuapai / 32.4 / 12th / 1945 / Highest

Whitianga Aero / 31.9 / 8th / 1962 / Highest

Paeroa / 32.2 / 8th / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Te Puke / 30.7 / 8th / 1973 / Equal 2nd-highest

Rotorua Aero / 30.0 / 9th / 1964 / 2nd-highest

Taupo / 30.4 / 8th / 1949 / 4th-highest

Whatawhata / 31.5 / 18th / 1952 / Highest

Turangi / 32.6 / 8th / 1968 / Highest

Takapau Plains / 30.7 / 8th / 1962 / Equal 4th-highest

Castlepoint / 31.5 / 8th / 1972 / Highest

East Taratahi / 33.6 / 8th / 1906 / 4th-highest

Martinborough / 34.1 / 8th / 1986 / Highest

Ngawi / 30.2 / 8th / 1972 / Equal 3rd-highest

Hicks Bay / 28.2 / 8th / 1969 / 2nd-highest

Gisborne / 34.6 / 1st / 1905 / 3rd-highest

Napier Aero / 36.7 / 1st / 1868 / Highest

Waipawa / 33.8 / 8th / 1945 / 2nd-highest

Wairoa, North Clyde / 37.3 / 1st / 1964 / Highest

Wallaceville / 30.6 / 8th / 1939 / 3rd-highest

Ohakune / 30.0 / 8th / 1962 / Equal highest

Waiouru / 28.0 / 8th / 1962 / 3rd-highest

Takaka / 31.6 / 7th / 1978 / 2nd-highest

Farewell Spit / 29.5 / 8th / 1971 / Highest

Lake Rotoiti / 31.3 / 8th / 1965 / Highest

Motueka, Riwaka / 30.5 / 8th / 1956 / 4th-highest

Appleby / 29.7 / 8th / 1943 / 4th-highest

Blenheim Aero / 34.1 / 9th / 1932 / 2nd-highest

Hanmer Forest / 35.7 / 8th / 1906 / 3rd-highest

Culverden / 38.0 / 8th / 1928 / Highest

Cheviot / 37.8 / 8th / 1982 / Highest

Winchmore / 35.2 / 8th / 1928 / Equal 4th-highest

Waipara West / 36.2 / 8th / 1973 / 2nd-highest

Darfield / 36.4 / 8th / 1939 / 2nd-highest

Le Bons Bay / 30.9 / 9th / 1984 / 2nd-highest

Woodbury / 35.0 / 8th / 1973 / 2nd-highest

March / / / /

Kaitaia Observatory / 26.6 / 6th / 1985 / 4th-highest

Kerikeri / 27.8 / 6th / 1981 / 3rd-highest

Kaikohe / 26.9 / 6th / 1973 / Highest

Whangarei Aero / 28.6 / 6th / 1967 / 2nd-highest

Whangaparaoa / 25.7 / 1st / 1982 / 2nd-highest

Whakatane Aero / 27.7 / 3rd / 1975 / 4th-highest

Puysegur Point / 24.9 / 5th / 1978 / 2nd-highest

Tiwai Point / 27.0 / 5th / 1970 / 2nd-highest

April / / / /

Takapau Plains / 25.9 / 27th / 1962 / Highest

Castlepoint / 24.5 / 27th / 1972 / 4th-highest

Milford Sound / 22.6 / 25th / 1934 / Equal 4th-highest

Puysegur Point / 20.7 / 15th / 1978 / 3rd-highest

Woodbury / 27.0 / 4th / 1973 / Equal 4th-highest

Dunedin / 26.8 / 26th / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Cromwell / 27.0 / 16th / 1949 / 2nd-highest

Nugget Point / 24.9 / 26th / 1970 / Highest

June / / / /

Kaitaia / 20.0 / 11th / 1985 / Equal 3rd-highest

July / / / /

Waipara (Canterbury) / 19.7 / 31st / 1973 / 4th-highest

August / / / /

Kaikohe / 19.0 / 28th / 1973 / Equal 2nd-highest

Dargaville / 20.5 / 30th / 1943 / Equal 4th-highest

Whangarei / 20.9 / 28th / 1967 / Highest

Warkworth / 18.9 / 30th / 1966 / 2nd-highest

Whangaparaoa / 19.2 / 28th / 1982 / 2nd-highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 20.0 / 30th / 1978 / Highest

Whenuapai (West Auckland) / 19.4 / 30th / 1945 / Equal 4th-highest

Takapau Plains / 18.5 / 30th / 1962 / 4th-highest

Martinborough / 19.2 / 30th / 1986 / 4th-highest

Ngawi (coastal Wairarapa) / 18.7 / 15th / 1972 / Equal 3rd-highest

Gisborne / 21.5 / 30th / 1905 / 3rd-highest

Hastings / 22.2 / 26th / 1965 / Equal 2nd-highest

Wairoa, North Clyde / 21.4 / 30th / 1964 / Equal 4th-highest

Paraparaumu / 21.0 / 15th / 1953 / Highest

Palmerston North / 20.2 / 30th / 1918 / 2nd-highest

Wellington / 17.7 / 14th / 1962 / Equal 4th-highest

Wallaceville / 19.9 / 15th / 1939 / 2nd-highest

Stratford / 16.8 / 29th / 1960 / Equal 4th-highest

Hawera / 17.5 / 15th / 1977 / 2nd-highest

Ohakune / 17.4 / 15th / 1962 / 2nd-highest

Waiouru / 18.0 / 29th / 1962 / Highest

Wanganui / 20.2 / 15th / 1937 / 4th-highest

Takaka / 20.0 / 28th / 1978 / Highest

Lake Rotoiti / 16.1 / 17th / 1965 / 4th-highest

Milford Sound / 17.7 / 16th / 1934 / 4th-highest

Motueka / 19.5 / 28th / 1956 / Equal 3rd-highest

Appleby / 19.8 / 28th / 1943 / Highest

Arthurs Pass / 13.0 / 16th / 1978 / Equal 4th-highest

Culverden / 22.0 / 25th / 1928 / 4th-highest

Tiwai Point (Southland) / 17.4 / 25th / 1970 / Equal 3rd-highest

September / / / /

Kaitaia / 21.5 / 13th / 1985 / 3rd-highest

Kaikohe / 20.7 / 14th / 1973 / 4th-highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 20.4 / 14th / 1978 / 3rd-highest

Ngawi / 23.4 / 14th / 1972 / 3rd-highest

Farewell Spit / 20.9 / 15th / 1971 / Highest

Lake Rotoiti / 21.6 / 14th / 1965 / Equal 2nd-highest

Appleby (Nelson) / 21.8 / 15th / 1943 / 3rd-highest

Blenheim / 24.4 / 14th / 1932 / 2nd-highest

Hanmer Forest / 26.1 / 14th / 1906 / 4th-highest

Culverden / 24.0 / 11th / 1928 / Equal 4th-highest

Le Bons Bay / 22.4 / 14th / 1984 / 2nd-highest

Orari (South Canterbury) / 27.5 / 14th / 1972 / Highest

Timaru / 28.2 / 14th / 1885 / Highest

Oamaru / 26.4 / 14th / 1908 / 2nd-highest

Dunedin (Musselburgh) / 25.4 / 14th / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Manapouri / 19.7 / 14th / 1963 / 2nd-highest

Alexandra / 29.0 / 14th / 1928 / Highest

Queenstown / 23.3 / 14th / 1871 / 4th-highest

Lumsden / 21.0 / 14th / 1982 / Equal 3rd-highest

Cromwell / 26.0 / 14th / 1949 / Highest

October / / / /

Whangarei / 24.3 / 17th / 1967 / 4th-highest

November / / / /

Kerikeri / 26.4 / 30th / 1981 / 2nd-highest

Kaikohe / 24.9 / 27th / 1973 / 2nd-highest

Whangarei / 25.9 / 30th / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Tauranga / 28.6 / 24th / 1913 / Highest

Te Puke / 28.8 / 24th / 1973 / Highest

Whakatane / 32.1 / 24th / 1975 / Highest

Rotorua / 27.3 / 24th / 1964 / Highest

Turangi / 26.8 / 24th / 1968 / 2nd-highest

Hastings / 30.2 / 29th / 1965 / 4th-highest

Wairoa, North Clyde / 29.8 / 29th / 1964 / 4th-highest

Farewell Spit / 24.4 / 24th / 1971 / 3rd-highest

Le Bons Bay / 25.4 / 21st / 1984 / 4th-highest

Oamaru / 29.0 / 21st / 1967 / Highest

Dunedin (Airport) / 31.1 / 23rd / 1947 / Highest

Queenstown / 26.0 / 23rd / 1968 / Equal 4th-highest

Balclutha / 27.6 / 23rd / 1964 / 4th-highest

Nugget Point / 27.9 / 23rd / 1970 / Highest

December / / / /

Kerikeri / 29.2 / 11th / 1981 / 2nd-highest

Kaikohe / 27.8 / 26th / 1973 / Highest

Whangaparaoa / 26.5 / 26th / 1982 / 2nd-highest

Whitianga / 27.9 / 10th / 1962 / 4th-highest

Whakatane / 29.3 / 19th / 1975 / Equal 2nd-highest

Taupo / 27.0 / 10th / 1976 / 2nd-highest

Le Bons Bay / 27.8 / 26th / 1984 / 3rd-highest

Dunedin / 32.0 / 25th / 1962 / 2nd-highest

Nugget Point / 27.0 / 25th / 1970 / 3rd-highest

Table 8: Near or record high monthly maximum temperatures were recorded at:

Location / Maximum temperature (°C) / Departure from normal (°C) / Records began / Comments

January / / / /

Whangaparaoa / 24.2 / 1.9 / 1982 / 2nd-highest

Tauranga Aero / 25.5 / 1.6 / 1913 / 4th-highest

Rotorua Aero / 24.1 / 1.2 / 1964 / 4th-highest

Waipawa / 25.9 / 1.6 / 1945 / 4th-highest

Takaka / 24.5 / 2.1 / 1978 / 3rd-highest

Lake Rotoiti / 23.5 / 2.8 / 1965 / 4th-highest

Hanmer Forest / 26.4 / 3.5 / 1906 / 2nd-highest

Kaikoura / 22.1 / 1.7 / 1963 / 3rd-highest

Culverden / 27.6 / 3.8 / 1928 / 2nd-highest

Cheviot / 25.6 / 2.5 / 1982 / Highest

Winchmore / 24.9 / 2.7 / 1928 / 4th-highest

Waipara West / 25.9 / 2.0 / 1973 / 3rd-highest

Darfield / 25.9 / 2.8 / 1939 / 3rd-highest

Christchurch / 24.7 / 2.4 / 1863 / 3rd-highest

Le Bons Bay / 21.3 / 2.2 / 1984 / Highest

Fairlie / 25.7 / 3.3 / 1925 / 2nd-highest

Woodbury / 25.9 / 3.6 / 1973 / Highest

Dunedin Aero / 23.1 / 2.4 / 1947 / Highest

Dunedin, Musselburgh / 21.1 / 2.2 / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Nugget Point / 19.5 / 1.8 / 1970 / 4th-highest

February / / / /

Kaitaia / 25.6 / 0.7 / 1985 / 3rd-highest

Whangarei Aero / 25.6 / 1.2 / 1967 / 4th-highest

Whangaparaoa / 24.4 / 1.9 / 1982 / 2nd-highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 24.5 / 0.4 / 1978 / 2nd-highest

Wairoa, North Clyde / 25.9 / 1.8 / 1964 / 3rd-highest

April / / / /

Appleby / 19.5 / 1.3 / 1943 / Highest

Dunedin / 17.9 / 1.3 / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Cromwell / 19.0 / 1.7 / 1949 / 4th-highest

Invercargill / 16.5 / 1.5 / 1948 / 4th-highest

Tiwai Point / 15.6 / 1.0 / 1970 / 4th-highest

Nugget Point / 15.8 / 1.8 / 1970 / 2nd-highest

August / / / /

Kaitaia / 16.7 / 0.5 / 1985 / 3rd-highest

Whangarei / 17.0 / 1.4 / 1967 / Highest

Whangaparaoa / 16.2 / 2.2 / 1982 / Highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 16.2 / 1.1 / 1978 / 2nd-highest

Whenuapai (West Auckland) / 16.3 / 1.2 / 1945 / 2nd-highest

Tauranga / 16.2 / 1.4 / 1913 / 2nd-highest

Port Taharoa / 16.0 / 1.4 / 1973 / 2nd-highest

Turangi / 13.2 / 1.3 / 1968 / 4th-highest

New Plymouth / 15.2 / 1.5 / 1944 / Highest

East Taratahi (Masterton) / 15.0 / 1.9 / 1906 / 3rd-highest

Martinborough / 15.9 / 2.3 / 1986 / 2nd-highest

Ngawi (Wairarapa coast) / 15.2 / 2.3 / 1972 / 2nd-highest

Gisborne / 16.3 / 1.4 / 1905 / 4th-highest

Paraparaumu / 14.7 / 1.7 / 1953 / Highest

Palmerston North / 15.4 / 2.1 / 1928 / Highest

Levin / 15.3 / 2.0 / 1895 / Highest

Wellington / 14.7 / 2.0 / 1962 / Highest

Wallaceville / 15.5 / 2.6 / 1939 / Highest

Stratford / 13.4 / 1.5 / 1960 / 2nd-highest

Hawera / 14.2 / 1.6 / 1977 / Highest

Ohakune / 12.0 / 1.9 / 1962 / 3rd-highest

Waiouru / 10.4 / 1.6 / 1962 / 3rd-highest

Wanganui / 16.0 / 2.2 / 1937 / Highest

Takaka / 15.0 / 1.4 / 1978 / 3rd-highest

Westport / 14.3 / 1.3 / 1937 / 2nd-highest

Lake Rotoiti / 11.3 / 1.8 / 1965 / 2nd-highest

Reefton / 13.8 / 1.8 / 1960 / Highest

Greymouth / 13.9 / 1.3 / 1947 / 4th-highest

Puysegur Point (Fiordland) / 12.6 / 1.9 / 1978 / Highest

Nelson / 14.3 / 1.2 / 1943 / Highest

Appleby / 15.4 / 2.3 / 1943 / Highest

Blenheim / 16.0 / 2.2 / 1941 / Highest

Hanmer Forest / 15.5 / 4.0 / 1906 / 2nd-highest

Kaikoura / 13.8 / 2.3 / 1963 / 2nd-highest

Winchmore / 14.4 / 2.8 / 1928 / 2nd-highest

Waipara West / 15.5 / 3.0 / 1973 / 2nd-highest

Christchurch / 14.2 / 2.1 / 1863 / 4th-highest

Le Bons Bay (Banks Peninsula) / 12.4 / 2.4 / 1984 / 2nd-highest

Timaru / 13.2 / 1.6 / 1885 / 4th-highest

Oamaru / 13.8 / 1.8 / 1908 / 2nd-highest

Tara Hills / 11.5 / 2.1 / 1949 / 3rd-highest

Wanaka / 12.0 / 1.6 / 1955 / 3rd-highest

Dunedin / 13.8 / 1.8 / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Manapouri / 11.2 / 1.1 / 1963 / 3rd-highest

Lumsden / 12.3 / 1.9 / 1982 / Highest

Cromwell / 14.0 / 3.0 / 1949 / Highest

Gore / 12.0 / 1.9 / 1971 / 2nd-highest

Invercargill / 12.5 / 1.4 / 1948 / 2nd-highest

Nugget Point (coastal Otago) / 11.7 / 1.9 / 1970 / 2nd-highest

September / / / /

Whangaparaoa / 16.8 / 1.5 / 1982 / 2nd-highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 17.2 / 0.9 / 1978 / 2nd-highest

Whenuapai / 17.5 / 1.2 / 1945 / 2nd-highest

Lake Rotoiti / 14.2 / 2.4 / 1965 / 2nd-highest

November / / / /

Kerikeri / 22.1 / 1.4 / 1981 / Highest

Te Puke / 21.0 / 1.3 / 1973 / 2nd-highest

Whakatane / 21.2 / 0.5 / 1974 / 3rd-highest

Nelson / 20.0 / 1.4 / 1943 / 3rd-highest

Dunedin (Airport) / 19.0 / 1.5 / 1947 / Highest

December / / / /

Kerikeri / 24.6 / 2.0 / 1981 / Highest

Kaikohe / 24.0 / 2.9 / 1973 / Highest

Whangarei / 24.3 / 1.6 / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Whangaparaoa / 22.4 / 1.8 / 1982 / 2nd-highest

Whakatane / 22.6 / 0.8 / 1974 / 3rd-highest

Section 9: Low temperatures and severe frost

2009 was notable for four extremely cold months (March, May, June and October), and an extended frosty period across many regions of the country between 16 and 26 June. Many record low monthly minimum temperatures were established in these four months, as well as widespread and record low daily minimum temperatures on the following dates: 12 and 23-25 March, 21-22 April, May 21-22, 8 and 17-19 June, 4-6 September, and 4-6 October.

• March

The national average temperature of 15.1°C for March 2009 was 0.6°C below average for this time of the year. Monthly temperatures were below average (by between 0.5 and 1.5°C) for all of the North Island except for Northland, Bay of Plenty and East Cape and over all of the South Island except for north Canterbury, Otago and Southland (where temperatures were near or slightly below normal). Temperatures in parts of Southern Hawkes Bay were well below normal (by between 1.5 and 2.0°C).

• April

Monthly temperatures were below average (by between 0.5 and 1.0 °C) over most of the central and eastern parts of the North Island for April. Notably, several sites in Otago, Canterbury, and the lower North Island recorded their lowest April minimum temperature on the 21st or 22nd.

• May

It was a record cold May for many, many locations, the length and breadth of the country. Extremely low temperatures (between 2.0 and 2.5 °C lower than normal) were recorded over most of the South Island, lower parts of the North Island, King Country, Waikato, Auckland and parts of Northland. Most other locations experienced well below average temperatures (between 1.2 and 2.0 °C lower than normal). The national average temperature of 9.0°C was 1.6°C below the long-term average for May.

• June

Monthly minimum temperatures in June were well below average in many locations of New Zealand. The persistence of the wintertime “highs” resulted in an extended frosty period between the 16th and 26th – and this is reflected in the minimum temperatures. Several sites recorded their lowest-ever June extreme daily minimum air temperature; Warkworth, Whanagaparaoa, Part Taharoa (coastal Waikato), Turangi, Paraparaumu, Wellington, Wanganui and Banks Peninsula. The Wellington and Paraparaumu records were notable, in that the minimum air temperature recorded on the 8th (-0.6 ºC and -4.2 ºC respectively) broke long-standing records, going back to 1962 (Wellington) and 1953 (Paraparaumu).

• 4-6 September

Numerous September minimum temperature records were broken on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of the month, right across the country from Southland to Northland. Record cold temperatures were experienced on the 5th and 6th, when a large anticyclone became slow moving over the country. The clear skies and light winds of this early-spring anticyclone resulted in extremely frosty conditions, which were widespread.

• 4-6 October

Record cold or near-record cold afternoon conditions were experienced on October 4th/5th in many North Island locations, associated with the heavy snowfall and bitterly cold southeast winds over the central North Island.

Table 9: Extremes of daily minimum temperature in 2009 were recorded at:

Location / Minimum temperature (°C) / Date of occurrence / Records began / Comments

January / / / /

Warkworth / 7.4 / 5th / 1966 / 2nd-lowest

Te Puke / 4.4 / 21st / 1973 / Equal 3rd-lowest

February / / / /

Warkworth / 9.2 / 25th / 1966 / 3rd-lowest

Dunedin Aero / 1.9 / 11th / 1947 / 3rd-lowest

Queenstown Aero / 1.7 / 14th / 1871 / 3rd-lowest

March / / / /

Warkworth / 6.1 / 24th / 1966 / Lowest

Port Taharoa / 7.9 / 12th / 1973 / Equal 4th-lowest

Taumarunui / -1.0 / 25th / 1947 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Turangi / -1.4 / 25th / 1968 / 2nd-lowest

Takapau Plains / 0.0 / 12th / 1962 / 3rd-lowest

Dannevirke / -0.4 / 12th / 1951 / Equal 2nd-lowest

Castlepoint / 6.6 / 23rd / 1972 / 3rd-lowest

Martinborough / 2.1 / 25th / 1986 / 4th-lowest

Ngawi / 6.5 / 12th / 1972 / 3rd-lowest

Hicks Bay / 8.0 / 12th / 1969 / 4th-lowest

Wairoa / 3.9 / 12th / 1964 / 2nd-lowest

Pelorus Sound / 6.0 / 12th / 1982 / Equal 4th-lowest

Hanmer Forest / -2.6 / 24th / 1906 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Cheviot / -0.5 / 24th / 1982 / 3rd-lowest

Queenstown / -1.3 / 22nd / 1871 / Lowest

Tiwai Point / 2.8 / 23rd / 1970 / 4th-lowest

April / / / /

Warkworth / 3.5 / 10th / 1966 / 2nd-lowest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 0.8 / 10th / 1978 / Lowest

Pukekohe / 2.1 / 10th / 1969 / 3rd-lowest

Hamilton / -0.4 / 10th / 1946 / 4th-lowest

Taumarunui / -2.6 / 2nd / 1947 / Equal lowest

Turangi / -3.1 / 2nd / 1968 / Equal lowest

Martinborough / -1.8 / 22nd / 1986 / 2nd-lowest

Ngawi / 5.9 / 22nd / 1972 / Equal 4th-lowest

Paraparaumu / 0.2 / 22nd / 1953 / 3rd-lowest

Ohakune / -2.7 / 22nd / 1962 / 4th-lowest

Wanganui / 2.2 / 22nd / 1987 / 3rd-lowest

Appleby / -0.8 / 21st / 1943 / 4th-lowest

Cheviot / -2.6 / 22nd / 1982 / 3rd-lowest

Christchurch / -2.2 / 22nd / 1863 / Equal 4th-lowest

Lake Tekapo / -5.0 / 9th / 1925 / 4th-lowest

Dunedin / -4.0 / 21st / 1947 / Lowest

Gore / -2.6 / 21st / 1971 / 2nd-lowest

Balclutha / -3.6 / 21st / 1964 / Lowest

May / / / /

Kaitaia Observatory / 4.7 / 24th / 1985 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Kerikeri Ews / 3.0 / 22nd / 1981 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Warkworth Ews / 0.1 / 22nd / 1966 / Lowest

Whangaparaoa Aws / 5.4 / 21st / 1982 / Lowest

Te Puke Ews / -1.0 / 22nd / 1973 / Equal 2nd-lowest

Whakatane Aero Aws / -1.6 / 22nd / 1975 / 2nd-lowest

Rotorua Aero Aws / -2.9 / 22nd / 1964 / Lowest

Taupo Aws / -4.1 / 22nd / 1949 / 3rd-lowest

Pukekohe Ews / -0.5 / 22nd / 1969 / 3rd-lowest

Port Taharoa Aws / 2.0 / 21st / 1973 / Lowest

Te Kuiti Ews / -2.5 / 22nd / 1959 / 3rd-lowest

Taumarunui Aws / -4.0 / 22nd / 1947 / 3rd-lowest

New Plymouth Aws / -0.8 / 22nd / 1944 / Lowest

Ngawi Aws / 4.6 / 28th / 1972 / 4th-lowest

Hicks Bay Aws / 1.7 / 22nd / 1969 / 3rd-lowest

Hastings Aws / -2.4 / 22nd / 1965 / 2nd-lowest

Waipawa Ews / -4.2 / 22nd / 1945 / 2nd-lowest

Wairoa, North Clyde Ews / -0.2 / 22nd / 1964 / 4th-lowest

Stratford Ews / -1.8 / 22nd / 1960 / Equal 2nd-lowest

Waiouru Aws / -6.1 / 22nd / 1962 / 4th-lowest

Wanganui Aws / 1.3 / 28th / 1987 / Equal 4th-lowest

Hokitika Aero / -1.8 / 12th / 1963 / 2nd-lowest

Pelorus Sd, Crail Bay / 2.0 / 21st / 1982 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim Aero Aws / -4.7 / 21st / 1932 / Lowest

Le Bons Bay Aws / 0.8 / 21st / 1984 / 3rd-lowest

Dunedin Aero Aws / -4.9 / 3rd / 1947 / 3rd-lowest

Balclutha, Telford Ews / -4.5 / 2nd / 1964 / Equal 3rd-lowest

June / / / /

Kaitaia / 2.0 / 19th / 1985 / 4th-lowest

Warkworth / -1.3 / 5th / 1966 / Lowest

Whangaparaoa / 4.1 / 1st / 1982 / Lowest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / -3.2 / 4th / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Te Puke / -1.6 / 17th / 1973 / 4th-lowest

Rotorua / -4.0 / 19th / 1964 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Taupo / -5.4 / 18th / 1949 / 4th-lowest

Hamilton / -4.5 / 19th / 1946 / 2nd-lowest

Port Taharoa / 0.5 / 17th / 1973 / Lowest

Te Kuiti / -3.9 / 19th / 1959 / 2nd-lowest

Taumarunui / -5.8 / 23rd / 1947 / 2nd-lowest

Turangi / -7.4 / 5th / 1968 / Lowest

Castlepoint / 2.0 / 17th / 1972 / Equal 4th-lowest

Paraparaumu / -4.2 / 8th / 1953 / Lowest

Wellington / -0.6 / 8th / 1962 / Lowest

Hawera / -3.3 / 8th / 1977 / Equal 2nd-lowest

Wanganui / -1.5 / 8th / 1987 / Lowest

Lake Rotoiti / -8.2 / 19th / 1965 / Equal 4th-lowest

Milford Sound / -3.4 / 23rd / 1934 / Equal 4th-lowest

Puysegur Point (Fiordland) / 0.6 / 7th / 1978 / 2nd-lowest

Motueka, Riwaka / -4.8 / 19th / 1956 / 2nd-lowest

Pelorus Sd, Crail Bay / -1.0 / 17th / 1982 / 2nd-lowest

Appleby / -5.5 / 19th / 1943 / 4th-lowest

Blenheim / -5.5 / 17th / 1932 / 3rd-lowest

Le Bons Bay / 0.0 / 17th / 1984 / Lowest

Manapouri / -5.9 / 7th / 1963 / 4th-lowest

July / / / /

Kaitaia / 1.5 / 26th / 1985 / Equal lowest

Warkworth / -0.5 / 26th / 1966 / Lowest

Te Kuiti / -3.6 / 14th / 1959 / Equal 2nd-lowest

New Plymouth / -1.8 / 14th / 1944 / 2nd-lowest

Takapau Plains / -3.6 / 27th / 1962 / Equal 4th-lowest

Dannevirke / -4.6 / 27th / 1951 / 2nd-lowest

Ngawi / 2.9 / 14th / 1972 / 4th-lowest

Hawera / -2.8 / 14th / 1977 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Le Bons Bay / 0.9 / 13th / 1984 / 4th-lowest

September / / / /

Kaitaia / 2.2 / 7th / 1967 / 4th-lowest

Warkworth / 1.2 / 6th / 1966 / Lowest

Whangaparaoa / 5.4 / 5th / 1982 / Lowest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / -1.5 / 6th / 1978 / Lowest

Whitianga / -1.3 / 6th / 1962 / Lowest

Ruakura / -2.8 / 6th / 1906 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Hamilton / -2.2 / 6th / 1946 / Equal lowest

Port Taharoa / 1.5 / 6th / 1973 / Lowest

Te Kuiti / -2.3 / 5th / 1959 / Lowest

Taumarunui / -4.2 / 5th / 1947 / 2nd-lowest

Turangi / -5.0 / 5th / 1968 / 2nd-lowest

Dannevirke / -3.4 / 5th / 1951 / 3rd-lowest

Martinborough / -2.9 / 5th / 1986 / 3rd-lowest

Ngawi / 2.7 / 5th / 1972 / Lowest

Paraparaumu / -2.8 / 5th / 1953 / 2nd-lowest

Levin / -2.3 / 5th / 1895 / 3rd-lowest

Wallaceville / -4.0 / 6th / 1939 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Stratford / -1.6 / 7th / 1960 / 4th-lowest

Hawera / -2.7 / 5th / 1977 / Lowest

Wanganui / 0.1 / 5th / 1987 / Equal lowest

Takaka / -0.9 / 6th / 1978 / 4th-lowest

Motueka / -2.2 / 5th / 1956 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim / -3.5 / 5th / 1932 / Lowest

Culverden / -6.0 / 5th / 1928 / 4th-lowest

Christchurch (Airport) / -3.9 / 4th / 1863 / 2nd-lowest

Oamaru / -4.0 / 5th / 1908 / 3rd-lowest

Dunedin (Airport) / -4.7 / 5th / 1947 / Lowest

Queenstown / -3.8 / 4th / 1871 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Lumsden / -4.8 / 4th / 1982 / 2nd-lowest

Gore / -3.4 / 4th / 1971 / Equal 4th-lowest

October / / / /

Warkworth / 2.4 / 30th / 1966 / Lowest

Whangaparaoa / 5.9 / 5th / 1982 / Lowest

Pukekohe / 1.6 / 30th / 1969 / 4th-lowest

Dannevirke / -2.3 / 21st / 1951 / 4th-lowest

Hokitika / -0.9 / 5th / 1866 / 4th-lowest

Haast / -0.4 / 29th / 1949 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Puysegur Point / 3.0 / 4th / 1978 / 4th-lowest

Appleby (Nelson) / -0.7 / 6th / 1943 / 4th-lowest

Le Bons Bay / 1.7 / 10th / 1984 / Equal lowest

Dunedin (Airport) / -3.3 / 7th / 1947 / Lowest

Queenstown / -3.5 / 5th / 1871 / Lowest

Lumsden / -4.3 / 5th / 1982 / Lowest

November / / / /

Warkworth / 4.4 / 7th / 1966 / Lowest

Turangi / -1.7 / 12th / 1968 / 3rd-lowest

New Plymouth / 2.1 / 12th / 1944 / 3rd-lowest

Martinborough / 0.0 / 12th / 1986 / 3rd-lowest

Hawera / 0.7 / 12th / 1977 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Christchurch / -0.7 / 17th / 1863 / Equal 4th-lowest

Dunedin (Airport) / -0.4 / 16th / 1947 / Lowest

Balclutha / 0.0 / 10th / 1964 / Equal 3rd-lowest

December / / / /

Kerikeri / 8.0 / 16th / 1978 / Equal 4th-lowest

Warkworth / 5.2 / 16th / 1966 / Lowest

Martinborough / 1.4 / 22nd / 1986 / Lowest

Napier / 4.0 / 22nd / 1973 / 3rd-lowest

Waipawa / 1.1 / 22nd / 1945 / Equal 4th-lowest

Winchmore / 0.9 / 4th / 1928 / 4th-lowest

Le Bons Bay / 4.4 / 15th / 1984 / 4th-lowest

Woodbury / 0.0 / 2nd / 1973 / Equal 3rd-lowest

Timaru / 1.0 / 31st / 1962 / 4th-lowest

Oamaru / 2.0 / 15th / 1967 / 4th-lowest

Dunedin / -0.7 / 4th / 1947 / Lowest

Lumsden / -3.5 / 3rd / 1982 / Lowest

Table 10: Near or record low monthly minimum temperatures were recorded at:

Location / Minimum temperature (°C) / Departure from normal (°C) / Records began / Comments

January / / / /

Warkworth / 13.2 / -1.9 / 1966 / 2nd-lowest

Dannevirke / 10.6 / -1.6 / 1951 / 4th-lowest

Martinborough / 11.0 / -1.2 / 1986 / 3rd-lowest

Appleby / 10.6 / -2.5 / 1943 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim Aero / 9.9 / -2.0 / 1932 / 4th-lowest

February / / / /

Puysegur Point / 10.1 / -1.3 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Dunedin Aero / 8.5 / -0.4 / 1947 / 4th-lowest

Tiwai Point / 9.3 / -1.6 / 1970 / 2nd-lowest

Balclutha / 8.3 / -1.3 / 1964 / 4th-lowest

March / / / /

Kaitaia / 12.7 / -2.0 / 1967 / 3rd-lowest

Warkworth / 12.3 / -2.4 / 1966 / 2nd-lowest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 11.6 / -1.2 / 1978 / 4th-lowest

Taumarunui / 7.9 / -2.3 / 1947 / 3rd-lowest

Turangi / 7.3 / -2.5 / 1968 / 2nd-lowest

Takapau Plains / 8.4 / -1.9 / 1962 / 4th-lowest

Dannevirke / 8.4 / -2.3 / 1951 / 2nd-lowest

Martinborough / 8.3 / -2.4 / 1986 / 3rd-lowest

Hastings / 9.9 / -2.0 / 1965 / 3rd-lowest

Waipawa / 7.8 / -2.6 / 1945 / 3rd-lowest

Wairoa / 10.4 / -1.9 / 1964 / 3rd-lowest

Lake Rotoiti / 5.5 / -1.5 / 1965 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim Aero / 8.0 / -2.2 / 1932 / 2nd-lowest

Hanmer Forest / 4.8 / -2.3 / 1906 / 2nd-lowest

Culverden / 5.9 / -3.2 / 1928 / 2nd-lowest

Cheviot / 6.5 / -2.0 / 1982 / 2nd-lowest

April / / / /

Takapau Plains / 6.0 / -2.2 / 1962 / 2nd-lowest

Dannevirke / 5.8 / -2.6 / 1951 / 2nd-lowest

Ohakune / 4.3 / -1.5 / 1962 / 4th-lowest

Wanganui / 9.4 / -1.3 / 1987 / 4th-lowest

Cheviot / 4.3 / -1.2 / 1982 / 4th-lowest

May / / / /

Kaitaia / 8.1 / -2.9 / 1967 / 2nd-lowest

Kerikeri / 7.7 / -1.8 / 1981 / Lowest

Warkworth / 7.2 / -3.5 / 1966 / Lowest

Whangaparaoa / 9.8 / -2.0 / 1982 / 2nd-lowest

Tiri Tiri Lighthouse / 11.0 / -0.8 / 1982 / 4th-lowest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 6.2 / -2.0 / 1978 / 2nd-lowest

Pukekohe / 6.7 / -2.5 / 1969 / 3rd-lowest

Port Taharoa / 8.1 / -2.4 / 1973 / Lowest

Te Kuiti / 4.2 / -2.1 / 1959 / 4th-lowest

Taumarunui / 2.5 / -2.4 / 1947 / 3rd-lowest

Turangi / 2.7 / -1.6 / 1968 / 4th-lowest

Castlepoint / 8.1 / -1.9 / 1972 / 2nd-lowest

Martinborough / 4.5 / -0.9 / 1986 / 4th-lowest

Ngawi / 8.6 / -1.5 / 1972 / Lowest

Hicks Bay / 9.2 / -1.5 / 1969 / 3rd-lowest

Stratford / 4.8 / -1.5 / 1960 / 4th-lowest

Hawera / 5.8 / -1.4 / 1977 / 4th-lowest

Wanganui / 7.2 / -1.5 / 1987 / 3rd-lowest

Takaka / 2.9 / -2.8 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Westport / 4.9 / -2.6 / 1937 / 2nd-lowest

Hokitika / 3.8 / -2.1 / 1963 / 2nd-lowest

Greymouth / 4.7 / -2.4 / 1947 / 2nd-lowest

Motueka / 1.5 / -2.7 / 1956 / Lowest

Pelorus Sd, Crail Bay / 7.5 / -1.1 / 1982 / 2nd-lowest

Appleby / 1.7 / -3.9 / 1943 / Lowest

Blenheim / 1.6 / -2.8 / 1932 / Lowest

Kaikoura / 6.3 / -1.5 / 1963 / 4th-lowest

Arthurs Pass / -1.0 / -3.4 / 1973 / 2nd-lowest

Cheviot / 1.7 / -1.2 / 1982 / 4th-lowest

Le Bons Bay / 5.4 / -2.0 / 1984 / 2nd-lowest

Dunedin / 1.5 / -0.7 / 1947 / 2nd-lowest

Lumsden / 0.9 / -1.6 / 1982 / 4th-lowest

Tiwai Point / 3.8 / -2.0 / 1970 / 2nd-lowest

Balclutha / 1.9 / -1.9 / 1964 / 2nd-lowest

June / / / /

Kaitaia / 6.9 / -2.3 / 1967 / 2nd-lowest

Whangaparaoa / 8.7 / -1.1 / 1982 / 3rd-lowest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 4.6 / -1.9 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Taupo / 0.7 / -2.1 / 1949 / 3rd-lowest

Ruakura / 1.4 / -3.3 / 1906 / 3rd-lowest

Hamilton / 1.4 / -2.7 / 1946 / 2nd-lowest

Port Taharoa / 6.3 / -2.4 / 1973 / Lowest

Te Kuiti / 1.5 / -3.1 / 1959 / 2nd-lowest

Taumarunui / 0.0 / -3.3 / 1947 / Lowest

Dannevirke / 2.0 / -2.4 / 1951 / 3rd-lowest

Castlepoint / 6.6 / -1.6 / 1972 / 2nd-lowest

Ngawi / 7.1 / -1.1 / 1972 / 2nd-lowest

Hicks Bay / 7.3 / -1.4 / 1969 / 3rd-lowest

Levin / 2.3 / -2.9 / 1895 / 4th-lowest

Wanganui / 5.1 / -1.6 / 1987 / 2nd-lowest

Milford Sound / 0.2 / -1.7 / 1934 / 4th-lowest

Pelorus Sd, Crail Bay / 4.9 / -1.5 / 1982 / Lowest

Hanmer Forest / -3.5 / -2.7 / 1906 / 2nd-lowest

Arthurs Pass / -2.3 / -2.4 / 1973 / 4th-lowest

Cheviot / -0.1 / -0.8 / 1982 / 3rd-lowest

Le Bons Bay (Banks Peninsula) / 4.8 / -0.8 / 1984 / 4th-lowest

Queenstown / -2.1 / -1.2 / 1871 / 2nd-lowest

July / / / /

Warkworth / 5.9 / -2.0 / 1966 / Lowest

Ngawi / 6.7 / -0.9 / 1972 / Equal 4th-lowest

Le Bons Bay (Banks Peninsula) / 4.1 / -0.8 / 1984 / 3rd-lowest

Dunedin / -0.6 / -0.4 / 1947 / Lowest

September / / / /

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 7.1 / -1.1 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Dannevirke / 4.0 / -2.1 / 1951 / 2nd-lowest

Martinborough / 4.7 / -1.2 / 1986 / 3rd-lowest

Wanganui / 7.0 / -1 / 1987 / 4th-lowest

Blenheim / 3.4 / -1.4 / 1932 / 4th-lowest

Hanmer Forest / -0.3 / -2.1 / 1906 / 2nd-lowest

Dunedin (Airport) / 2.7 / -0.3 / 1947 / Lowest

October / / / /

Kaitaia / 8.7 / -1.9 / 1967 / 2nd-lowest

Warkworth / 8.5 / -2.1 / 1966 / Lowest

Whangaparaoa / 10.1 / -1.3 / 1982 / 4th-lowest

Port Taharoa / 9.4 / -1.6 / 1973 / 2nd-lowest

Dannevirke / 5.3 / -2.5 / 1951 / 2nd-lowest

Castlepoint / 8.0 / -2.2 / 1972 / 2nd-lowest

Ngawi / 8.5 / -1.6 / 1972 / 2nd-lowest

Wellington / 8.5 / -1.4 / 1962 / 3rd-lowest

Wanganui / 8.4 / -1.2 / 1987 / 3rd-lowest

Westport / 6.3 / -2.1 / 1937 / 3rd-lowest

Lake Rotoiti / 1.6 / -2.0 / 1965 / 3rd-lowest

Hokitika / 5.4 / -2.0 / 1963 / 2nd-lowest

Reefton / 3.6 / -2.6 / 1960 / Lowest

Greymouth / 6.6 / -1.7 / 1947 / 3rd-lowest

Haast / 5.1 / -1.4 / 1949 / 4th-lowest

Puysegur Point / 6.7 / -1.0 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim / 4.7 / -2.1 / 1932 / 2nd-lowest

Hanmer Forest / 1.3 / -2.8 / 1906 / 3rd-lowest

Kaikoura / 6.3 / -1.9 / 1963 / Lowest

Arthurs Pass / 0.8 / -3.4 / 1973 / Lowest

Waipara West / 4.4 / -2.1 / 1973 / Lowest

Le Bons Bay / 5.0 / -2.0 / 1984 / 2nd-lowest

Lake Tekapo / 1.1 / -2.4 / 1927 / 3rd-lowest

Tara Hills / 1.5 / -2.2 / 1949 / 3rd-lowest

Wanaka / 3.5 / -1.8 / 1955 / 4th-lowest

Dunedin / 4.1 / -0.8 / 1947 / Lowest

Queenstown / 2.8 / -1.6 / 1871 / Lowest

Nugget Point / 5.5 / -0.9 / 1970 / 4th-lowest

December / / / /

Kaitaia / 11.5 / -2.1 / 1967 / 3rd-lowest

Warkworth / 12.2 / -1.4 / 1966 / 4th-lowest

Pukekohe / 11.2 / -1.5 / 1969 / 4th-lowest

Te Kuiti / 9.9 / -1.5 / 1959 / 4th-lowest

Turangi / 8.7 / -1.6 / 1968 / 4th-lowest

Timaru / 7.5 / -2.2 / 1962 / 4th-lowest

Dunedin / 7.6 / -0.8 / 1947 / 2nd-lowest

Section 10: Floods and high rainfall

There were numerous heavy rainfall events during 2009, about fifteen of which produced significant flood and property damage. Most of the rainfall events that produced flooding are listed below. The worst flooding events during 2009 were those of 27 April on the West Coast, 16-20 May in Canterbury, Otago, and alpine areas of the South Island, and 28-30 June in Gisborne and the Manawatu-Wanganui region (causing a State of Emergency to be declared in Gisborne).

• 2 January

Heavy rain fell in Queenstown and on the West Coast overnight on 2 January. River levels in the Haast and Callery (near Franz Joseph) Rivers rose quickly as a result. The Te Anau Rodeo Club annual event was cancelled after persistent rain turned the arena into a quagmire.

• 18 January

Flash floods struck Christchurch on the evening of 18 January. The same storm brought torrential rain and hail to Ashburton in half an hour, turning streets into rivers, and ruining vegetable gardens.

• 10 February

Torrential rain in Manawatu and Wanganui on the afternoon of 10 February caused flooding up to 1 m deep. From 11am to 4pm, 72.4 mm was recorded in Palmerston North, and from 9am and 4 pm, 74.4 mm was recorded in Wanganui.

• 19 February

A heavy, isolated, rainstorm about 1am on the 19th caused flash flooding in Ohope.

• 20-21 February

Severe rain on 20 February caused surface flooding in parts of Wellington, Levin, and Palmerston North, and caused raw sewage to overflow into central Wellington, the harbour, and Lyall Bay. In Tauranga, the severe rain caused the postponement of the Kapa Haka festival, the first time this had happened in 36 years. In South Canterbury and north Otago, surface flooding affected SH1 and SH8, and closed some minor roads. Dunedin’s fundraising “Relay for life” on 21 February was cancelled at midnight because of heavy rain.

• 27-28 February

Severe rain on the 27th caused surface flooding, traffic accidents in several North Island regions, and sewage overflows in Wellington City and the harbour. Stormy weather on the 28th forced the cancellation of the Mission Estate Concert in Hawke's Bay when excessive water and mud made the venue dangerous, and the Derby Day race at Ellerslie was postponed for the first time in its history.

• 5-6 March

A storm crossed the upper North Island on 5–6 March, causing property damage, and bringing down power lines. About 13,000 homes in greater Auckland lost power for a short time, with 10 homes at Bethells Beach having no power overnight.

• 17 March

Heavy rain on 17 March caused surface flooding, landslips, and sewer overflows in Tauranga. The downpour put a stop to both the swim and run legs of Tauranga Triathlon's aquathon race.

• 27 April

Mt Cook recorded 341 mm of rainfall on the 27th (the highest April 1-day total for this location, since records began in 1928). Homes were evacuated and roads flooded as torrential rain fell in Greymouth on this day. Roads became impassable and at least nine homes were evacuated on the eastern side of town. Flooding also forced the closure of SH6 at Punakaiki, and between Haast and Makarora. Trampers were stranded in the Mueller Hut in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, and about 120 people were evacuated from the Milford Track by helicopter. A massive slip blocked Oropi Gorge Road in the Bay of Plenty on the same day after a weekend of heavy rain in the region.

• 14 May

On 14 May, rain in Southland closed SH99 between Riverton and Invercargill, and SH6 was reduced to one lane at Makarewa Bridge. Several other minor roads were also closed. Access to Toko Mouth in Southland was restored on 14 May after flooding closed the road for three days.

• 16 - 20 May

On 17 May, SH1 south of Ashburton, was closed for several hours after the Rangitata River burst its banks. The main railway line between Rangitata River and Temuka was also closed by flooding, delaying three freight trains. Inland, Omarama had water up to 1 m deep in places, after a stopbank designed to cope with a 100-year flood was overtopped. About 30 people were evacuated from the camping ground, along with three residents living near the river. A major slip closed SH8, on the Omarama side of the Lindis Pass. On 18 May, farmers used boats to rescue 150 sheep, stranded by the flooded Clutha River at Barnego, near Balclutha. The Skippers Road in Queenstown was closed until further notice, after slips and washouts at various locations. The previous three days of rain had also damaged many roads in the Queenstown Lakes area, with access requiring four-wheel drive vehicles. On the morning of 20 May, a 12 m stretch of Whitewash Head Road above Scarborough in Christchurch gave way following heavy rainfall. Vehicle access was affected to 23 homes.

• 24 May

On 24 May, residents were evacuated from two houses after a slip in Sumner, Christchurch. In Otago, a slip on Portobello Rd disrupted traffic for about an hour and a-half. And further north, a slip on the Rimutaka Hill Road partly blocked both lanes, but was eventually cleared.

• 28-30 June

Heavy rain on 29 June caused slips and the closure of SH4 between Raetihi and Wanganui. SH57 between Palmerston North and Linton was flooded, and slips occurred in the Manawatu Gorge. On 30 June, the residents of the small settlement of Mangatuna just out of Gisborne were evacuated following heavy rainfall. Many slips affected the Napier-Taupo Road, and SH2 between Napier and Wairoa, although both remained open. A Civil Defence Emergency was established in the Gisborne District on the morning of the 30th. Further north, about 1 m of water closed Tram Valley Road in Swanson, west Auckland, isolating 30 homes overnight.

• 23-24 July

Heavy rain on 23 July caused a slip at Maymorn Tunnel, north of Upper Hutt. About 300 train passengers were stranded after the locomotive ploughed into the wall of mud and debris and was derailed. A tree came down causing a slip, and blocking SH1 at Pukerua Bay from about 5.30 pm the same day, causing extensive delays. One lane re-opened just before 8 pm, but there was still a backlog of traffic at 10 pm. Slips and flooding also closed SH58 between Pauatahanui and Haywards Hill, the Paekakariki Hill Road, and SH53 between Martinborough and Featherston. In Lower Hutt, Eastern Hutt Road was under about 1 m of water. Five houses were evacuated in Silverstream after a creek burst its banks. In Greymouth, Sawyers Creek flooded, and houses were inundated, with some residents evacuated to motels. The Midland railway line was closed after a washout of the track at Kokiri, near Greymouth. Tranz Alpine passengers had the option of travelling by bus between Christchurch and Greymouth, or travelling by train on another day. About 8 am on 24 July, a slip immediately north of the Ngauranga Gorge closed the North Island Main Trunk Line between Wellington and Porirua. Also on 24 July, heavy rain in Auckland triggered a fresh slip at Buckland’s Beach.

• 29 July

On 29 July, a slip, with some boulders reported as big as cars, fell on to SH6 near Greymouth. Traffic was diverted to a bridge further up the Grey River, until the road was partially re-opened in the afternoon.

• 30 August-1 September

On 31 August, Te Anga Rd, east of Waitomo Caves was closed by a large slip of mud and trees, while in the Wellington region, surface flooding closed roads in Lower Hutt, southern Wairarapa, and Plimmerton. A slip on the tracks at Pukerua Bay delayed trains until mid-morning, with buses brought in for commuters. A major slip in the Johnsonville suburb of Wellington in the early hours of 1 September left houses at the top of a bank, in a precarious position.

• 4-5 October

Heavy rain in Bay of Plenty on 5 October, caused slips in Tauranga, flooded businesses in Rotorua, and caused a 30 m high Acacia tree to fall, blocking the road at Pongakawa.

• 9 October

Heavy rain in the early hours of 9 October caused surface flooding in Wellington, and closed the Johnsonville railway line.

• 15-18 October

Heavy rain in Wellington on 15-16 October caused surface flooding on SH1 north of the city, as well as causing slips in Lower Hutt and Evans Bay Parade. SH1 was closed by flooding near Marton, south of Wanganui, on 18 October.

Table 11: Near record high extreme 1-day rainfall totals were recorded at:

Location / Extreme 1-day rainfall (mm) / Date of extreme rainfall / Year Records Began / Comments

February / / / /

Cape Reinga / 102 / 27th / 1919 / 3rd-highest

Kaitaia / 80 / 27th / 1985 / 4th-highest

Kerikeri / 132 / 27th / 1981 / 3rd-highest

Kaikohe / 158 / 27th / 1956 / 2nd-highest

Te Puke / 120 / 28th / 1973 / 4th-highest

Wairoa, North Clyde / 92 / 24th / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Palmerston North / 78 / 10th / 1928 / 4th-highest

Wanganui / 75 / 10th / 1937 / 3rd-highest

Hokitika Aero / 151 / 20th / 1963 / Highest

Hokitika / 147 / 20th / 1866 / 3rd-highest

Pelorus Sd, Crail Bay / 67 / 12th / 1982 / 4th-highest

Woodbury / 88 / 20th / 1973 / Highest

Timaru Harbour / 49 / 20th / 1942 / 3rd-highest

March / / / /

Te Puke / 147 / 6th / 1973 / 2nd-highest

April / / / /

Kaitaia / 115 / 25th / 1967 / Highest

Mt Cook / 341 / 27th / 1928 / Highest

Timaru / 47 / 29th / 1942 / 3rd-highest

May / / / /

Kerikeri / 102 / 26th / 1981 / 2nd-highest

Arthurs Pass / 214 / 16th / 1906 / 2nd-highest

Mt Cook / 321 / 16th / 1928 / Highest

Lake Tekapo / 88 / 16th / 1925 / Highest

Woodbury / 150 / 5th / 1973 / Highest

Tara Hills / 70 / 16th / 1949 / Highest

Manapouri / 37 / 14th / 1963 / 3rd-highest

June / / / /

Kaitaia / 84 / 11th / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 32 / 28th / 1978 / 4th-highest

Whakatane / 82 / 12th / 1952 / 4th-highest

Te Kuiti / 57 / 28th / 1957 / 4th-highest

Gisborne / 85 / 28th / 1937 / 3rd-highest

Wanganui / 36 / 28th / 1987 / 2nd-highest

Kaitaia / 84 / 11th / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 32 / 28th / 1978 / 4th-highest

Whakatane / 82 / 12th / 1952 / 4th-highest

Te Kuiti / 57 / 28th / 1957 / 4th-highest

Gisborne / 85 / 28th / 1937 / 3rd-highest

July / / / /

Wallaceville / 66 / 23rd / 1939 / 3rd-highest

Lumsden / 23 / 21st / 1982 / 4th-highest

Invercargill / 31 / 21st / 1939 / 4th-highest

Tiwai Point / 28 / 21st / 1970 / 4th-highest

August / / / /

Matamata (Waikato) / 78 / 14th / 1951 / 2nd-highest

Paraparaumu / 53 / 30th / 1951 / 4th-highest

Wallaceville / 101 / 30th / 1939 / 2nd-highest

Stratford / 81 / 30th / 1960 / 3rd-highest

Ohakune / 43 / 30th / 1961 / 4th-highest

Takaka / 82 / 25th / 1976 / 4th-highest

Arthurs Pass / 163 / 25th / 1906 / 3rd-highest

September / / / /

Whakatane / 76 / 24th / 1952 / 3rd-highest

Dannevirke / 64 / 24th / 1951 / Highest

Appleby (Nelson) / 59 / 29th / 1941 / 3rd-highest

October / / / /

Takapau Plains / 48 / 4th / 1962 / 3rd-highest

Dannevirke / 48 / 4th / 1951 / 4th-highest

Gisborne / 62 / 4th / 1937 / 3rd-highest

Wairoa, North Clyde / 70 / 4th / 1967 / 4th-highest

Blenheim / 50 / 8th / 1927 / 2nd-highest

Timaru Harbour / 56 / 19th / 1942 / Highest

December / / / /

Warkworth / 73 / 3rd / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Whangaparaoa / 70 / 4th / 1946 / 2nd-highest

Whitianga / 122 / 4th / 1961 / 4th-highest

Table 12: Near-record or record high monthly rainfalls were recorded at:

Locations that experienced near or record high monthly rainfall at various times during the year were:

Location / Rainfall (mm) / Percentage of normal for the month / Year Records began / Comments

February / / / /

Kaitaia / 177 / 230 / 1985 / 3rd-highest

Kerikeri / 241 / 259 / 1981 / 4th-highest

Te Puke / 304 / 301 / 1973 / 2nd-highest

Whatawhata (near Hamilton) / 215 / 261 / 1952 / 4th-highest

Martinborough / 144 / 289 / 1924 / 3rd-highest

Palmerston North / 213 / 379 / 1928 / 2nd-highest

Levin / 172 / 285 / 1895 / 3rd-highest

Wellington Aero / 161 / 312 / 1958 / 3rd-highest

Wanganui / 146 / 221 / 1987 / 2nd-highest

Blenheim Aero / 137 / 302 / 1927 / Highest

Winchmore / 139 / 263 / 1909 / 3rd-highest

Timaru / 166 / 371 / 1881 / 3rd-highest

Dunedin, Musselburgh / 165 / 267 / 1918 / 4th-highest

Cromwell / 64 / 200 / 1949 / 4th-highest

March / / / /

Te Puke / 325 / 209 / 1973 / 3rd-highest

April / / / /

Kaitaia / 253 / 253 / 1967 / 3rd-highest

Milford Sound / 1008 / 170 / 1929 / 4th-highest

Mt Cook / 1156 / 318 / 1928 / Highest

May / / / /

Dargaville / 219 / 209 / 1943 / 4th-highest

Warkworth / 205 / 177 / 1966 / 3rd-highest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 179 / 174 / 1978 / Highest

Martinborough / 177 / 241 / 1924 / 3rd-highest

Hawera / 162 / 175 / 1977 / 4th-highest

Mt Cook / 809 / 220 / 1928 / 3rd-highest

Lake Tekapo / 186 / 373 / 1925 / Highest

Tara Hills / 116 / 243 / 1949 / Highest

Ranfurly / 65 / 203 / 1943 / 4th-highest

Dunedin / 168 / 241 / 1918 / 4th-highest

Manapouri / 186 / 177 / 1961 / 3rd-highest

Lumsden / 100 / 108 / 1982 / 3rd-highest

Balclutha / 113 / 195 / 1964 / 3rd-highest

June / / / /

Whakatane / 269 / 213 / 1952 / 2nd-highest

Gisborne / 244 / 217 / 1905 / 2nd-highest

Dannevirke / 144 / 153 / 1951 / 4th-highest

August / / / /

Matamata / 219 / 191 / 1951 / Highest

Hokitika / 486 / 217 / 1963 / 2nd-highest

Milford Sound / 852 / 199 / 1929 / 3rd-highest

Mt Cook / 673 / 227 / 1928 / 4th-highest

October / / / /

Dannevirke / 207 / 221 / 1951 / Highest

Gisborne / 152 / 266 / 1905 / 4th-highest

Waipawa / 133 / 215 / 1945 / 3rd-highest

Wellington / 161 / 171 / 1958 / 4th-highest

Ohakune / 254 / 191 / 1961 / 3rd-highest

Wanganui / 142 / 175 / 1987 / 3rd-highest

Blenheim / 139 / 204 / 1927 / 4th-highest

Section 11: Low soil moisture levels and record low monthly rainfall

• January

In January, well below normal rainfall occurred in Northland, Auckland, central North Island, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Tasman, Marlborough, north and south Canterbury and central Otago. Soil moisture levels at the end of January were below normal for much of the North Island (except Gisborne and northern Manawatu), as well as in the Tasman District, northern Westland, north and south Canterbury, and south Otago.

• February

Rainfall during February returned soil moisture levels to near normal status across much of the country.

• March - April

March was very dry, with exceptionally low rainfall in Marlborough, north Canterbury, Tekapo, north and central Otago where less than 10 mm was recorded at some locations. Rainfall was also well below normal (less than 50 percent of normal) in Waikato, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, southern Manawatu and Wellington. Rainfall was below normal elsewhere (between 50 and 80 percent of normal) except in western Bay of Plenty and eastern Otago (where it was very wet).

Exceptionally low rainfall for April (less than 20 percent of normal) occurred in southern Hawke’s Bay and Tararua District. This resulted in significant soil moisture deficits (more than 50 mm below normal levels) re-developing in these regions (although the dry soils were short-lived due to wet conditions in May). Other eastern areas of both islands, around Auckland, and along the south coast of the South Island received below normal rainfall (between 20 and 60 percent of normal) in April.

• November-December

Well below normal rainfall (below 50 percent of normal) was experienced in the northeast of the North Island, and the north and east of the South Island. At several locations in Northland and Central Otago, rainfall totals were in the single figures (less than 10 mm), and broke long-standing low-rainfall records for November. Record or near-record low rainfall was also observed in parts of Auckland and the Coromandel, and in the Bay of Plenty, Taupo, and Central Plateau regions. In the South Island, record low November rainfall was experienced in Canterbury, Otago, the Lakes District, and inland Southland.

After a windy and extremely dry November, significant soil moisture deficits (more than 50 mm below normal levels) had developed in Otago, Canterbury, the Kaikoura coast, Northland, and parts of Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, central North Island, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. However, rainfall in the first week of December returned soil moisture levels back to near normal in most regions, except Northland, central North Island, Bay of Plenty and Otago.

Table 13: Near-record or record low monthly rainfalls were recorded at:

Location / Rainfall (mm) / Percentage of normal / Year records began / Comments

January / / / /

Kaitaia Observatory / 20 / 24 / 1985 / 3rd-lowest

Warkworth / 16 / 18 / 1966 / 3rd-lowest

Taupo / 15 / 18 / 1949 / 4th-lowest

Whatawhata / 18 / 18 / 1952 / Lowest

Martinborough / 4 / 9 / 1924 / Lowest

Wellington Aero / 15 / 24 / 1958 / 4th-lowest

Takaka / 9 / 7 / 1976 / Lowest

Lake Rotoiti / 33 / 26 / 1933 / 4th-lowest

Nelson / 12 / 17 / 1941 / 3rd-lowest

Hanmer Forest / 12 / 18 / 1905 / 2nd-lowest

Orari Estate / 12 / 19 / 1897 / 2nd-lowest

Oamaru / 15 / 30 / 1898 / 3rd-lowest

Ranfurly / 15 / 31 / 1943 / 2nd-lowest

Cromwell / 9 / 22 / 1949 / 2nd-lowest

February / / / /

Milford Sound / 166 / 33 / 1929 / 3rd-lowest

March / / / /

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 40 / 41 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

East Taratahi / 7 / 8 / 1926 / 2nd-lowest

Palmerston North / 15 / 21 / 1928 / 2nd-lowest

Levin / 20 / 20 / 1895 / 4th-lowest

Wellington Aero / 20 / 27 / 1958 / 4th-lowest

Hawera / 30 / 33 / 1977 / 3rd-lowest

Ohakune / 26 / 30 / 1961 / Lowest

Wanganui / 28 / 41 / 1987 / 3rd-lowest

Takaka / 42 / 28 / 1976 / 4th-lowest

Lake Rotoiti / 37 / 34 / 1933 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim / 10 / 20 / 1941 / 4th-lowest

Hanmer Forest / 11 / 11 / 1905 / 2nd-lowest

Culverden / 3 / 5 / 1921 / Lowest

Timaru / 11 / 21 / 1881 / 4th-lowest

Tara Hills / 6 / 13 / 1949 / 2nd-lowest

Cromwell / 7 / 15 / 1949 / Lowest

April / / / /

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 46 / 42 / 1978 / 2nd-lowest

Taupo / 21 / 29 / 1949 / 3rd-lowest

Takapau Plains / 19 / 22 / 1962 / 2nd-lowest

Dannevirke / 21 / 24 / 1951 / Lowest

Waipawa / 16 / 23 / 1945 / 3rd-lowest

Lumsden / 46 / 64 / 1982 / 4th-lowest

Invercargill / 32 / 34 / 1939 / 4th-lowest

Nugget Point / 28 / 40 / 1930 / 4th-lowest

Tiwai Point / 30 / 29 / 1970 / 3rd-lowest

Balclutha / 24 / 53 / 1964 / 4th-lowest

May / / / /

Takaka / 65 / 39 / 1976 / 4th-lowest

Nelson / 21 / 28 / 1941 / 4th-lowest

Appleby / 24 / 31 / 1941 / 4th-lowest

June / / / /

Hawera / 48 / 41 / 1977 / 2nd-lowest

Reefton / 95 / 55 / 1960 / 4th-lowest

Dunedin / 17 / 23 / 1918 / 2nd-lowest

Manapouri / 25 / 25 / 1961 / 3rd-lowest

Queenstown / 7 / 11 / 1871 / Equal lowest

Lumsden / 18 / 24 / 1982 / Lowest

Cromwell / 6 / 18 / 1949 / 3rd-lowest

Gore / 29 / 41 / 1950 / 3rd-lowest

Darfield / 6 / 9 / 1919 / Lowest

Ranfurly / 0 / 0 / 1943 / Lowest

July / / / /

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 107 / 73 / 1978 / 3rd-lowest

Wellington (Airport) / 52 / 46 / 1958 / 4th-lowest

August / / / /

Dargaville / 53 / 47 / 1943 / 3rd-lowest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 68 / 50 / 1978 / 4th-lowest

Waipawa (Hawkes Bay) / 8 / 11 / 1945 / Lowest

Lumsden / 34 / 54 / 1982 / Lowest

September / / / /

Lake Tekapo / 9 / 18 / 1925 / 4th-lowest

Lumsden / 26 / 40 / 1982 / 2nd-lowest

November / / / /

Kaitaia / 14 / 14 / 1967 / Lowest

Kerikeri / 9 / 7 / 1981 / Lowest

Kaikohe / 12 / 11 / 1956 / Lowest

Dargaville / 19 / 27 / 1943 / 4th-lowest

Whangarei / 6 / 7 / 1937 / Lowest

Warkworth / 25 / 26 / 1966 / 2nd-lowest

Whangaparaoa / 13 / 19 / 1946 / Lowest

Kumeu (Waitakere) / 20 / 22 / 1978 / Lowest

Whitianga / 24 / 21 / 1961 / Lowest

Auckland (Airport) / 22 / 28 / 1959 / 2nd-lowest

Paeroa / 20 / 22 / 1914 / 3rd-lowest

Matamata / 33 / 36 / 1951 / 3rd-lowest

Tauranga / 12 / 14 / 1898 / Lowest

Whakatane / 12 / 14 / 1952 / 2nd-lowest

Rotorua / 22 / 21 / 1963 / Lowest

Taupo / 22 / 28 / 1949 / 2nd-lowest

Lake Rotoiti / 55 / 40 / 1933 / 4th-lowest

Reefton / 69 / 39 / 1960 / 4th-lowest

Winchmore / 20 / 37 / 1909 / 4th-lowest

Darfield / 14 / 27 / 1919 / 3rd-lowest

Lincoln, Broadfield / 10 / 21 / 1881 / 2nd-lowest

Lake Tekapo / 6 / 15 / 1925 / 4th-lowest

Tara Hills / 3 / 8 / 1949 / Lowest

Wanaka / 9 / 17 / 1927 / 4th-lowest

Ranfurly / 1 / 3 / 1943 / Lowest

Dunedin (Airport) / 22 / 40 / 1918 / 4th-lowest

Lumsden / 18 / 24 / 1982 / Lowest

Cromwell / 6 / 18 / 1949 / Lowest

December / / / /

Kaitaia / 28 / 31 / 1967 / 4th-lowest

Kerikeri / 24 / 23 / 1981 / 3rd-lowest

Taupo / 30 / 27 / 1949 / 2nd-lowest

Turangi / 55 / 43 / 1968 / 2nd-lowest

Takaka / 52 / 39 / 1976 / 4th-lowest

Section 12: Snowfall

It was an extremely snowy year, with numerous snowfall events in 2009. Significant snowfalls, which were widespread and to low levels, were observed 31 May, 16 June, 2-5 July, and 4-6 October. The snowfalls in October were exceptional, being unseasonably late and very heavy. The most notable snowfall event of the year occurred on October 4 – 6 in the Hawkes Bay and Central North Island, and was estimated to be the worst in October since 1967. It caused hundreds of travellers to be stranded, closed numerous roads, and resulted in heavy lambing losses. Snowfall was also observed in Taranaki, Waikato and Rotorua on October 6th, for the first time in about 30 years around Rotorua.

• 8 April

On 8 April, 10 cm of snow fell in the Coronet Peak and Remarkables Ski Areas. Further north, Mt Hutt received 20 cm of snow.

• 8-12 May

Snow fell in Central Otago and the Southern Lakes area on 8 May, with 10 cm at Coronet Peak and 15 cm at the Remarkables ski field. A cold front brought 10-20 cm of snow to inland Otago on 10 May. More than 80 people were trapped for several hours in three tour buses on the Lindis Pass, when it was closed overnight by snow and ice. SH87 from Outram to Middlemarch was also closed. Both roads were re-opened on 11 May. Mt Hutt staff reported a base of 110 cm, after about 170 cm of snow was recorded in 10 days. In the North Island, Mount Taranaki had a snow base of up to 50 cm by 12 May, enough to consider opening the lower and learner's slopes and t-bar.

• 18-21 May

By 18 May, The Remarkables, Treble Cone, Cardrona, and Snow Park skifields had received between 50 cm and 1 m of snow over the preceding three days. Snow closed the Desert Road in the early hours of 20 May, and in Dunedin, Three Mile Hill Road was closed indefinitely and the Northern Motorway open to light vehicles only. SH87 between Outram and Middlemarch, SH85 between Palmerston and Kyeburn, and the Lindis Pass were also closed by snow. On 21 May, SH4 between National Park and Raetihi, and the Desert Road were closed by snow and ice for a few hours. Some schools on the Central Plateau were closed for the day. Between 30 cm and 40 cm of snow fell on the upper slopes of Whakapapa ski field. In Taranaki, snow was reported in Stratford, and black ice caused many motor vehicle accidents. Manganui Ski Field was open with 12 cm of new snow.

• 31 May

Snow, slips and a fallen tree closed the highway between Opotiki and Gisborne on 31 May as wintry conditions brought snow and ice to the country's roads. SH2, the Waioeka Gorge Road, was closed and SH7, Lewis Pass, was closed to towing vehicles. Snow fell to sea level along Wellington's south coast and from Southland to Kaikoura, and blanketed high-country passes, including the Rimutaka Hill Road summit and Desert Road. Snow fell at Mt Hutt skifield adding another 15 cm to the more than 2 m of snow that had fallen in May, and snow settled to about 200 m inland and elsewhere around Canterbury, with about 8 cm on the ground near Springfield and in parts of Otago.

• 16 June

Dunedin Airport and many roads were closed on 16 June, after snow fell to low levels in Otago and Southland. Ten flights were cancelled, and all primary schools and kindergartens in Dunedin were closed for the day. SH1 between Waitati and Dunedin, Milton and Balclutha, and Balclutha and Clinton, and SH93 between Clinton and Mataura were closed by snow. Multiple traffic accidents were caused by the icy conditions, especially on Dunedin’s hills. Roads requiring chains and/or with vehicle restrictions in place were:

• SH1 Dunedin (Andersons Bay) to Mosgiel

• SH87 Outram to Middlemarch

• SH6 Kingston to Dipton

• SH97 Five Rivers to Mossburn

• SH94 Gore to Mossburn

• SH8 Alexandra to Roxburgh

• SH8 Lindis Pass Omarama to Tarras

• SH94 Te Anau to Milford Sound

Further north, SH2 over the Rimutaka Hill north of Wellington, was closed briefly.

• 20 June

SH29, the road over the Kaimai Ranges was closed by ice on 20 June. On the same morning, the edges of the Pauatahanui Inlet, near Porirua, froze over.

• 29 June

On June 29th, snow closed SH8 from Fairlie to Tekapo, and extreme caution was needed on the Desert Road through the central North Island, SH29 through Turiko in the Bay of Plenty, and SH 94 near Te Anau. Chains were also required on SH 73 near Arthurs Pass.

• 2-5 July

On 2 July, the Desert Road between Rangipo and Waiouru was closed overnight by snow. Heavy snow on 3 July brought down trees, closing the Haast Pass. Cromwell was cut off as SH8 to Roxburgh, SH85 to Omakau, the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown, and the Lindis Pass were all closed. Schools in Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh and Omakau were closed on what was the last day of term. On 5 July, a risk of avalanche on the access road forced the Mt Hutt ski field to close for the day, after about 20 cm of snow fell overnight.

• 13-19 July

On 13 July snow and ice closed SH1 at the Desert Road, and roads in Otago and South Canterbury were affected by black ice. The first Wilson Cup curling fixture in six years was played on natural ice at Idaburn Dam near Oturehua on 14 July. The ice was about 15 cm thick. Snow closed the Desert Road section of SH1 for a short time on 18 July. A freezing front brought snow, hail, sleet and icy winds to Otago and Southland on 19 July. SH93 between Clinton and Mataura, and SH87 from Mosgiel to Kyeburn were closed by snow.

• 1-2 August

Trees, and snow up to 5 m deep, from a series of avalanches over 1-2 August, blocked SH94, closing the only road access to Milford Sound. Both ends of the Homer Tunnel were buried in more than 100,000 tonnes of debris. It re-opened for nine hours on 10 August, but was closed again at 5 pm. It again re-opened on the morning of 11 August.

• 2 September

On 2 September, snow closed the Crown Range Road, and both Cardrona and The Remarkables skifields after 25-35 cm of fresh snow fell overnight. The Milford Road, and Old Coach Road from Mataura to Clinton, were also closed in the morning.

• 24 September

SH2 over the Rimutaka Hill was closed by snow for several hours on 24 September. Heavy snow also fell in the Tararua district, closing both the Pahiatua Track and Saddle Road. The weight of the snow tore boughs from trees, interrupted power supplies, and some houses in Atea Valley were on low voltage power all night, meaning appliances like television sets, computers, fridges and freezers had to be turned off. In the Nelson region, SH60 was closed at Takaka Hill.

• 3-6 October

On 3 October, 20 cm of snow was reported to low levels in Fiordland and Southland. Coronet Peak skifield received 7 cm of fresh powder overnight on 2-3 October, while Treble Cone received 20 cm of snow, and Cardrona 15 cm. Overnight 4-5 October, an unseasonably late and heavy snowfall event affected several hundred motorists, who were stranded in up to 50cm of snow along the Napier- Taupo Highway. Most were rescued by the army, but some spent the night in their vehicles. Snow was reported as far north as Te Aroha and Katikati, and on Mt Taranaki. Unexpected snow in the Motu-Matawai area, and further south at Te Pohue, caused significant losses in newborn lambs and calves.

Roads closed by snow on 5 October were SH1 between Turangi and Taihape, SH5 from Taupo to Napier, SH38 in the Urewera National Park, SH47 at Turangi, SH49 from its junction with SH4 to Waiouru. The Desert Road, Napier-Taupo Road and SH38 remained closed until 7 October. On 6 October, Waikato residents woke to see snow on Mt Pirongia and Mt Te Aroha. A DoC ranger reported 15 cm of snow on the road up Mt Te Aroha, the heaviest fall since 1978. On Mt Taranaki, skiers could not reach the Manganui ski field because the access road was blocked by fallen trees. About 20-25 cm of snow covered the road. At North Egmont car park a car was trapped in snow, forcing the owner to spend the night in the hut. Snow was also reported in the Rotorua district, for the first time in about 30 years.

• 8-9 October

Snow started falling in Central Otago in the evening on 8 October, and further north in Canterbury, it was reported in Darfield and Kirwee early in the morning of 9 October. Mt Hutt ski field received about 50 cm of new snow.

Section 13: Sunshine extremes

Record or near-record extremes of sunshine hours were recorded in each month of the year during 2009, with 6 months being particularly sunny in various locations, and 1 month (February) being very cloudy. Three months (May, October, and November) displayed a range of extremes, with both record high and record low sunshine totals being experienced in different regions of the country.

Table 14: Monthly sunshine extremes were recorded at:

Location / Sunshine (hours) / Percentage of normal / Year Records began / Comments

January / / / /

Kaitaia / 281 / 122 / 1985 / 2nd-highest

Tauranga / 324 / 128 / 1933 / 2nd-highest

Taumarunui / 292 / 144 / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Turangi / 296 / 133 / 1976 / Highest

Dannevirke / 261 / 124 / 1963 / 2nd-highest

Martinborough / 280 / 121 / 1986 / Highest

Waipawa / 297 / 147 / 1945 / Highest

Takaka / 286 / 121 / 1985 / 2nd-highest

Greymouth / 259 / 134 / 1947 / 3rd-highest

Appleby / 319 / 120 / 1948 / 4th-highest

Blenheim / 305 / 118 / 1947 / 3rd-highest

Cheviot / 292 / 123 / 1983 / Highest

February / / / /

Takaka / 177 / 82 / 1985 / 3rd-lowest

Blenheim / 173 / 76 / 1947 / Equal lowest

Cheviot / 149 / 77 / 1983 / 2nd-lowest

Christchurch Aero / 133 / 68 / 1930 / 4th-lowest

Timaru / 108 / 63 / 1930 / 2nd-lowest

Cromwell / 190 / 89 / 1979 / 2nd-lowest

March / / / /

Kaitaia / 268 / 144 / 1985 / Highest

Dargaville / 232 / 136 / 1943 / 2nd-highest

Te Kuiti / 223 / 141 / 1962 / 2nd-highest

Taumarunui / 210 / 135 / 1947 / 3rd-highest

Turangi / 225 / 130 / 1976 / 2nd-highest

Takaka / 238 / 108 / 1985 / 3rd-highest

Nelson / 263 / 124 / 1948 / Equal 3rd-highest

Cheviot / 212 / 113 / 1983 / 3rd-highest

April / / / /

Taumarunui / 167 / 131 / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Dannevirke / 191 / 137 / 1963 / 2nd-highest

Martinborough / 178 / 117 / 1986 / 3rd-highest

Waipawa / 206 / 141 / 1945 / 4th-highest

Invercargill / 163 / 148 / 1932 / Highest

Balclutha / 173 / 151 / 1964 / Highest

/ / / /

Kaitaia / 139 / 88 / 1985 / 3rd-lowest

May / / / /

Kaitaia / 185 / 124 / 1985 / Highest

Greymouth / 165 / 166 / 1947 / Highest

Cheviot / 144 / 118 / 1983 / 3rd-highest

/ / / /

Turangi 2 Ews / 123 / 84 / 1976 / 4th-lowest

New Plymouth Aero / 119 / 83 / 1972 / 4th-lowest

Martinborough Ews / 92 / 69 / 1986 / Lowest

Stratford Ews / 98 / 79 / 1963 / Lowest

June / / / /

Dargaville / 137 / 152 / 1943 / 2nd-highest

Ruakura / 149 / 145 / 1936 / 3rd-highest

Te Kuiti / 131 / 154 / 1962 / 2nd-highest

Taumarunui / 128 / 188 / 1947 / Highest

Cheviot / 113 / 125 / 1983 / 2nd-highest

Lake Tekapo / 163 / 165 / 1928 / Highest

July / / / /

Martinborough / 79 / 71 / 1986 / 4th-lowest

Paraparaumu / 90 / 73 / 1953 / 3rd-lowest

August / / / /

Dannevirke / 162 / 134 / 1963 / 2nd-highest

Martinborough / 171 / 116 / 1986 / 3rd-highest

Waipawa / 183 / 133 / 1945 / 2nd-highest

Paraparaumu / 179 / 126 / 1953 / 4th-highest

Wallaceville / 162 / 132 / 1939 / 3rd-highest

Balclutha / 150 / 130 / 1964 / 3rd-highest

/ / / /

Kaitaia / 143 / 91 / 1985 / 2nd-lowest

Mt Cook / 65 / 59 / 1930 / 2nd-lowest

September / / / /

Te Kuiti / 178 / 150 / 1962 / Highest

Taumarunui / 171 / 156 / 1947 / 2nd-highest

Turangi / 173 / 127 / 1976 / 2nd-highest

Hokitika / 186 / 130 / 1964 / 4th-highest

Greymouth / 205 / 155 / 1947 / 3rd-highest

October / / / /

Hokitika / 218 / 138 / 1964 / 4th-highest

Greymouth / 233 / 162 / 1947 / 2nd-highest

/ / / /

Martinborough / 158 / 85 / 1986 / 3rd-lowest

Wallaceville / 110 / 65 / 1939 / 4th-lowest

Stratford / 130 / 76 / 1963 / 3rd-lowest

November / / / /

Turangi / 225 / 121 / 1976 / 4th-highest

Cromwell / 282 / 129 / 1979 / 3rd-highest

Balclutha / 249 / 146 / 1964 / Highest

/ / / /

Kaitaia / 160 / 84 / 1985 / 3rd-lowest

Dargaville / 137 / 75 / 1943 / 3rd-lowest

December / / / /

Kaitaia / 287 / 131 / 1985 / Highest

Te Kuiti / 223 / 127 / 1962 / 3rd-highest

Tauranga / 285 / 123 / 1932 / 3rd-highest

Turangi / 240 / 125 / 1976 / 3rd-highest

Dannevirke / 241 / 125 / 1963 / 2nd-highest

Waipawa / 253 / 137 / 1945 / 3rd-highest

Section 14: Severe or damaging hail and electrical storms

• 3 January

On 3 January, lightning strikes on feeders in the Dunsandel and Lincoln areas affected power to about 600 properties, and closed Christchurch International Airport for half an hour. Thunder and hail in Christchurch forced the postponement of the international cricket match against the West Indies, while large, 2 cm hailstones whipped across roads and buildings in Waipara, bringing traffic to a standstill, and denting cars.

• 18 January

About 1000 lightning strikes were recorded in Christchurch on 18 January, causing several brief power outages. Hail was also reported.

• 7 March

Lightning strikes on 7 March cut power to approximately 74,000 consumers in Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Te Puke, for about 2 hours.

• 6 May

Wellington was hit by thunder, lightning and hail in the early morning of 6 May. Minor flooding affected the southern suburbs, and hail up to 5 cm deep was reported in the eastern suburbs.

• 10-11 May

Thunderstorms and hail affected Hamilton mid afternoon on 10 May. On 11 May, thunderstorms and hail struck Tauranga, Whakatane and Opotiki with hail stones the size of a 20 cent coin, up to 10 cm deep in places, blocking drains and flooding several streets and houses. The hail cut a ragged swathe across kiwifruit orchards, devastating some orchards and bypassing others completely. At Papamoa School a ceiling collapsed and classrooms were flooded.

• 17 May

Taranaki was affected by lightning strikes on 17 May, damaging transformers and downing power lines, cutting power to 230 properties.

• 28 June

A two-hour lightning and thunderstorm hit Auckland and Northland on 28 June, with hundreds of strikes between 10 pm and midnight, including at least one which hit the Sky Tower. The storm also brought heavy rain, causing some flash flooding.

• 26 August

Thunderstorms brought heavy rain to Mt Taranaki on 26 August. Lightning strikes were also reported in Auckland, and the western Bay of Plenty where the storm cut power to more than 8000 homes, and damaged property.

• 2-4 September

Two electrical storms struck Southland early on 2 September, damaging trees outside and electrical equipment inside. A third storm struck Invercargill about 6 pm, with lightning strike hitting a transformer, knocking out power to several houses. On 4 September, hail occurred in Wellington, and at the Matawhero sheep sale, Gisborne.

• 28 September

On 28 September, an Air New Zealand flight from New Plymouth to Christchurch was diverted to Nelson, following a suspected lightning strike. Lightning was reported from many North Island locations.

• 14 December

On 14 December, severe hailstorms in inland Canterbury (from Geraldine to north of Rangiora) caused thousands of dollars of damage to vegetable and arable crops.

Section 15: Tornadoes, high winds, and rough seas

• 3 January

Gale force winds on 3 January caused havoc in Canterbury with thousands of homes left without power. Lines were blown down in central Christchurch, and in Ashburton, winds brought trees down on to power lines, causing short circuits and fires, cutting power to more than 10,000 homes in the area. On the same day, a tornado hit a farmhouse on the southern outskirts of Waikouaiti, ripping tiles off the roof, smashing windows, splintering trees and felling nearby power lines. The family cat took refuge inside the piano.

• 8 January

On 8 January, a tornado ripped the roof off the Bannockburn Hotel, and dumped it onto nearby power lines. Power was cut to 450 customers in the area for about 20 minutes.

• 18 January

Wind and warm temperature combined to create a rare waterspout off Sumner Beach, Christchurch on 18 January.

• 5-6 March

Winds reached 154 km/hr at Cape Reinga overnight on 5–6 March, and 93 km/hr across Auckland Harbour. The high winds caused property damage, and brought down trees and power lines.

• 11 May

A tornado damaged homes in Warkworth on 11 May.

• 15 May

Strong winds buffetted Wellington on 15 May, damaging power lines and cutting power for a few hours to 2500 homes in Karori and Makara. Four domestic flights into the capital were cancelled and another four were diverted to other airports. Two flights out of the city were cancelled. Trees and fences were blown down, and a parked van was lifted up on to the footpath on Evans Bay Parade. A large glass roof panel on Miramar Library, and a glass veranda panel from an apartment above Taranaki St were damaged.

• 17 May

Taranaki was hit by a mini tornado on 17 May, with a trampoline flung 40 m, windows smashed, and about 20 trees flattened on a property in Opunake. Nearby 15 30-year old trees were knocked over, and three sides of a hay barn were flung 100 m across a paddock, leaving the hay stacked nicely. High winds also blew a tree down across SH2 at White Pines Bush, about 15 km north of Napier. In Wellington, flying debris from gales knocked out power for 2-3 hours to about 3000 homes Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, and Johnsonville. SH77 was closed to campervans and other high-sided vehicles because of the high winds.

• 20May

On 20 May, several large waterspouts were reported offshore from Papamoa between Motiti Island and Town Point, accompanied by very strong winds. Near Akaroa, gale-force wind gusts brought down a tree, blocking SH75. Further north, the gales also caused the delay or cancellation of Cook Strait ferries.

• 23-24 May

Southerly gales hammered Wellington over the weekend of 23-24 May, closing roads, tearing boats from their moorings, and damaging trees, roofs and power lines. Cook Strait ferries were cancelled, and flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted. Trees brought down power poles near Upper Hutt cutting power to about 1200 houses on 23 May. Power was restored to most homes after several hours, but a few customers were without power until the evening of the 24th. A fallen tree blocked SH2 at Tutira, 45 km from Napier, closing the road for at least two hours.

• 30-31 May

Eastern South Island, Wellington and eastern North Island were buffeted by high winds over the weekend of 30-31 May. Two teenage girls were rescued in atrocious weather and strong southerly winds kayaking off New Plymouth's East End Beach on 31 May.

• 12 June

A storm on 12 June caused havoc in the Gisborne region, triggering a series of power outages due to wind damage. All power was restored by the afternoon of 13 June.

• 4 July

A tornado affected Kaitaia on 4 July, damaging at least 20 homes, as well as the local hospital.

• 11 July

Severe winds in Northland on 11 July brought down trees, in one case crushing a caravan and killing one of the occupants. Many homes in Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel were without electricity after falling trees brought down power lines.

• 18 July

High winds in Northland on 18 July cut power to about 5,000 buildings.

• 21 July

A tornado was reported in the morning of 21 July, just north of Cromwell, causing a dust storm at the local quarry. That evening, a mini tornado damaged houses in Opunake, and brought down power lines.

• 23 July

High winds on 23 July closed the Rimutaka Hill Road from 8 pm until about 9 pm. In Wellington, gale-force winds of up to 130 km/hr ripped the glass of a balcony in the central city, and a contractor had to abseil in to secure the site. In the Wairarapa, the storm brought down trees and branches on to high voltage lines, cutting power to substations at Tinui and Awatoitoi, and briefly cutting power to about 4000 customers from Masterton to Castlepoint. Further north, powerlines between Tokomaru Bay and Ruatoria were also damaged when trees were blown over by the strong northwesterlies.

• 2 September

A 10 m twister caused havoc on an Invercargill farm on 2 September, when it picked up water from a ditch throwing it as high as the power lines, and taking the corrugated roof off a shed.

• 14 September

A significant wind event occurred on September 14th, with widespread and record-high wind gusts experienced over the southern half of the South Island during a storm-force northwesterly event. Damage included felled power lines and lifted roofs on the Otago peninsula. Near Arrowtown, a tree felled by the wind, crashed on to a vehicle, killing the driver.

• 17 September

A tornado funnel cloud, reported over eastern Taranaki on 17 September, dissipated before it touched the ground.

• 28 September

On 28 September, a tornado in Ramarama, south of Auckland, damaged properties, some severely, and uprooted trees.

• 4-5 October

Gusty cross-winds forced the closure of New Plymouth airport for 20 hours from 3 pm on 4 October. The strong winds also brought down trees and cut the power supply to about 1000 properties in Taranaki, particularly Okato, Oakura, and Hawera. Power was also cut to about 1200 homes in the Rotorua district after high winds brought down trees. High winds on 5 October, together with the heavy snow, brought down trees and power poles in the central North Island, leaving about 1300 people without power. Some properties were without power for four days. Stock losses, particularly late born lambs, occurred in the Wairarapa during the first week in October, after several days of strong, very cold, southerly winds.

• 4 November

Extreme winds were experienced over parts of Fiordland, Southland, Central Otago and Canterbury on the 4th. A container ship was from its moorings at the port of Lyttelton.

• 13-15 November

On 13 November, strong winds caused havoc in Canterbury, grounding helicopters, felling trees, and downing power lines. Winds at Masterton were too strong for three original World War I planes and 17 replicas to take to the skies at the Remembrance Day World War I Air Show, on the 14th of the month. On 15 November, gale force winds toppled the main food and wine tent at Toast Martinborough. Two more marquees were crumpled, signs were ripped from their posts, and power was knocked out at Ata Rangi vineyard.

• 26-28 November

Wind brought down trees and power lines down at Porangahau on November 26. On the 27th, extreme winds were experienced in Central Otago and Southland. Caravans were knocked over in Canterbury on the 28th, and gusts to 130 km/hr were experienced in West Melton.

• 12 December

On 12 December, high winds in North Canterbury brought down trees and tore roofs off houses and sheds in Kaikoura. A tornado was reported near Springfield, 70 km west of Christchurch on 14 December.

• 18 December

Winds gusted up to 130 km/hr in exposed areas of Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Fiordland. Winds also blasted the lower North Island and upper South Island, with gusts of up to 100 km/hr reported on the Rimutaka Hill road (SH2).

Table 15: Near or record high extreme wind gusts were recorded at:

Location / Extreme wind gust speed (km/hr) / Date of extreme gust / Year Records began / Comments

January / / / /

Winchmore / 106 / 2nd / 1970 / Highest

Lauder / 107 / 2nd / 1981 / Equal 3rd-highest

Milford Sound / 98 / 2nd / 1974 / Equal 4th-highest

February / / / /

Cape Reinga / 122 / 27th / 1974 / 4th-highest

Kaikohe / 72 / 28th / 1986 / Highest

Whenuapai / 82 / 28th / 1972 / Equal 4th-highest

Tauranga / 83 / 20th / 1973 / 3rd-highest

Whakatane / 85 / 20th / 1974 / Highest

Hamilton / 70 / 28th / 1978 / Equal 4th-highest

Turangi / 78 / 1st / 1973 / 4th-highest

Castlepoint / 139 / 1st / 1972 / 4th-highest

Puysegur Point / 145 / 8th / 1986 / 4th-highest

Gore / 107 / 8th / 1987 / 2nd-highest

April / / / /

Cape Reinga / 130 / 24th / 1974 / 3rd-highest

Rotorua / 87 / 20th / 1972 / 4th-highest

Hicks Bay / 120 / 21st / 1975 / Equal 4th-highest

May / / / /

Cape Reinga / 150 / 8th / 1974 / 3rd-highest

Kaikohe / 83 / 8th / 1986 / Equal highest

Hawera / 82 / 24th / 1986 / 4th-highest

Milford Sound / 120 / 10th / 1974 / 4th-highest

Blenheim / 93 / 17th / 1972 / 2nd-highest

July / / / /

Kaitaia / 106 / 18th / 1985 / 4th-highest

Kaikohe / 82 / 18th / 1986 / Equal 3rd-highest

Whangarei / 104 / 18th / 1973 / Equal 4th-highest

Castlepoint / 148 / 21st / 1972 / Highest

Paraparaumu / 109 / 23rd / 1972 / Equal 2nd-highest

Westport / 163 / 3rd / 1973 / Highest

Tara Hills / 85 / 21st / 1985 / Equal highest

Gore / 104 / 21st / 1987 / 2nd-highest

August / / / /

Napier / 91 / 27th / 1973 / 4th-highest

Farewell Spit / 91 / 25th / 1973 / Equal 4th-highest

Westport / 100 / 31st / 1973 / Highest

Hokitika / 100 / 25th / 1972 / 4th-highest

September / / / /

Westport / 91 / 24th / 1973 / Equal 3rd-highest

Tara Hills / 107 / 14th / 1985 / Highest

Lauder / 119 / 14th / 1981 / Equal 4th-highest

October / / / /

Hawera / 96 / 9th / 1986 / Highest

November / / / /

Castlepoint / 161 / 4th / 1972 / 3rd-highest

Puysegur Point (Fiordland) / 145 / 4th / 1986 / 2nd-highest

Tara Hills (Omarama) / 87 / 27th / 1985 / Equal 4th-highest

Lauder / 132 / 4th / 1981 / Equal highest

Gore / 120 / 27th / 1987 / 4th-highest

December / / / /

Farewell Spit / 93 / 30th / 1973 / Equal 3rd-highest

Puysegur Point / 145 / 18th / 1986 / Equal 2nd-highest

Blenheim / 109 / 30th / 1972 / 2nd-highest

Tara Hills / 89 / 18th / 1985 / Equal 3rd-highest

Lauder / 106 / 18th / 1981 / 3rd-highest

Section 16: Fog

Fog on 27 June disrupted domestic flights out of Auckland International Airport with 25 flights cancelled. International flights were not affected.

On 18 July, Christchurch Airport was brought to a standstill by thick fog. Dozens of flights were diverted, delayed or cancelled.

Acknowledgement of NIWA as the source is required.

ENDS

2009: extreme temperature swings

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