About 500 Lower Hutt residents were evacuated because of floodwaters, and many commuters were unable to enter Wellington. However, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures year-round. Spring is also when calves, lambs and daffodils pop up in New Zealand’s green fields, so it’s an incredibly picturesque time. [8], 10 April 1968: Cyclone Giselle caused peak gusts of 145 knots (270 km/h) near Wellington, after colliding with an Antarctic storm moving north. More than 350 mm of rain fell in 24 hours.[9]. [9], 25 July and 14 August 2011 New Zealand snowstorms: The first severe winter storm brought the coldest winter snap in fifteen years. 4 October 1997: More than 60 homes were flooded and residents in Lower Hutt riverside areas were evacuated during downpours. Wherever they settle, British people generally find the New Zealand climate to be very pleasant, and indeed it is. Most regions of New Zealand belong to the temperate zone with a maritime climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb) characterised by four distinct seasons. Find out what to expect from the weather during your visit. Be 'SunSmart' by using these three simple steps when you go outdoors: New Zealand's average rainfall is high and evenly spread throughout the year. The is a great deal of rainfall in Wellington, even in the driest month. [19][20], Learn how and when to remove this template message, Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited, Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill, "NZ's temperature record hits new low - minus 25.6degC", "Winds and storms: Looking back at the Wahine Storm", "Kiwis marvel at Auckland and Wellington snow", "Past climate variations over New Zealand", "New Zealand's out-sized climate change contribution", "Zero Carbon Bill revealed: everything you need to know", "New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 2017", "Proposed Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill", "Landmark climate change bill goes to Parliament", Insurance Council of New Zealand: Cost of Disaster Events in New Zealand, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Climate_of_New_Zealand&oldid=993673449, Articles needing additional references from January 2019, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 11 December 2020, at 21:37. As New Zealand observes daylight saving, during summer months daylight can last up until 9.30pm. This weather circulates the southern seas largely unimpeded by land until is reaches the Southern Alps. However, on a per capita basis, New Zealand is a significant emitter – the 21st highest contributor in the world and fifth highest within the OECD. Temperatures are rarely hot or cold enough to make you feel uncomfortable. Central Otago and inland Canterbury's Mackenzie Basin have the closest New Zealand has to continental climates, being generally drier (due in part to föhn winds) and less directly modified by the ocean. New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. Eastern cities on the North Island such as Gisborne, Napier, and Hastings also have mean yearly maxima of between 19–20 °C (66–68 °F) but have slightly lower yearly mean minima of around 9–10 °C (48–50 °F). Weather in New Zealand can be unpredictable. 2 February 1936: The Cyclone of 1936 was the worst storm of the 20th century in New Zealand. Most cities receive between 620 mm or 24 in (as in Christchurch) and 1,317 mm or 51.9 in (Whangarei) of precipitation annually. How much rain a place receives is highly dependent on topography. Scientific study of early New Zealand climate is quite recent and ongoing. New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern has called climate crisis “one of the greatest challenges of our time" as she declared a climate emergency on Wednesday, joining 32 nations including Canada, France and Britain, in laying out long-term plans to reduce emissions. The West Coast of the South Island is the wettest area of New Zealand, while the Central Otago, on the eastern side of the Southern Alps, is the driest. [9], 26 June 1998: A severe thunderstorm affected Karori and Kelburn, with rain breaking all previous records and falling at a rate with a return period of well over 200 years. The Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited (MetService), established as a state-owned enterprise in 1992, issues weather forecasts and official weather warnings. This cooling may have had a substantial impact on population in those areas. Wellington climate summary The Wellington lies on 10m above sea level The climate here is mild, and generally warm and temperate. [18], New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions are on the increase rather than declining. Over December, January and February, the number of visitors increases, as people arrive from overseas to travel while the weather is warm. New Zealand climate overview. Monthly weather forecast and climate for New Zealand. Use SPF 30+ sunscreen. The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south. Under new … Late on 20 June, the storm pushed northeast to the North Island, bringing very strong winds until early 23 June. Weather Atlas: New Zealand - Climate data and average monthly weather. In New Zealand, the climate is oceanic, mild in the north and cool in the south, and also windy and rainy, especially in the southern and western regions.The weather is often variable, and there can be sunshine and rain alternating in a few hours, as is typical of oceanic climates. The key facts to emerge are that New Zealand did experience a noticeable cooler climate, but at a slightly later date than in the Northern Hemisphere. The warmest months are December, … Averages are for Auckland Airport, which is 11 miles from Auckland. Giselle led to the sinking of the interisland ferry TEV Wahine, and the loss of 53 lives. While the coastal areas of the North Island may experience some frost overnight in winter, it very rarely snows there. New Zealand also has a reverse seasonal calendar due to its position in the southern hemisphere, so its four seasons run fairly parallel to those in Australia. From about 1350 this region was notably warmer but then cooled relatively quickly from 1450. The climate in New Zealand in november ranges from good to tolerable depending on the region and city. New Zealand’s government is set to declare a climate emergency and pledge “immediate action” to ratchet up the pressure to tackle the crisis. Annual Weather Averages Near Auckland. New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. The Southern Alps, the North Island Volcanic Plateau and surrounding ranges can produce large variation in rainfalls in places barely tens of kilometres apart. Based on weather reports collected during 2005–2015. There were 6 further unconfirmed reports of drowning, bringing the total loss of life directly related to the storm event to between 25 and 31. New Zealand's Climate. Snow is more common inland in both main islands, though snow to sea level does occur on average once or twice per year in the central and southern South Island. [6], July 1863 The blizzard and flood of 1863 was a series of consecutive natural disasters in Central Otago in New Zealand's South Island. See our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to understand how you can manage cookies. New Zealand’s government will decide next week if a climate emergency should be declared in the country or not. New Zealand Weather & Climate. Geography and Climate of New Zealand . Similar Latitude Cities. Northern cities such as Auckland, Whangarei, and Tauranga experience mean yearly maxima of between 19–20 °C (66–68 °F) and mean yearly minima of around 11–12 °C (52–54 °F). January and February are the warmest months, and July is the coldest month of the year. Weather in September Indications are that temperatures were in the range of 1.5-2.0 degree Celsius lower than present during the New Zealand LIA. Although there is still a high chance of rainfall around this time of year, the weather starts to warm up – it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking. Sources using the earliest reports of loss of life tend to greatly overstate the numbers who died.[7]. The two largest cities on the South Island, Christchurch and Dunedin, have mean yearly maxima of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) and 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) and yearly mean minima of 7.3 °C (45.1 °F) and 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) respectively. Locals like to joke that you can experience four seasons in one day! Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country. Since 2000 various scientific investigations looked at the behaviour of glaciers in relation to climate and found they were excellent indicators of temperatures, especially in summer. New Zealand enjoys a moderate climate, without extremes of hot or cold. The average recurrence interval of this rainfall event was estimated at more than 100 years. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's government is to declare a climate emergency in a symbolic step to increase pressure for action to … Average daytime temperatures during spring range between 19 degrees Celsius (°C) in the north to 16 °C in the south. During August snow fell consistently down to sea level in Wellington for the first time since 1976,[10] and snowflakes even fell for a brief time in Auckland for the first time in 80 years.[10]. The mountain ranges running along the spine of the South Island divide the country into diverse climate regions. To view cookie details and how to opt-out, please see our Cookie Policy. Most of the country has mild temperatures with high rainfall. The far north has subtropical weather during summer, while inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10°C (14°F) in winter. Its main attraction is the natural beauty of its landscape, which ranges from precipitous fjords and snow-capped mountains in the South Island, to pristine white sand beaches and volcanoes in the North Island. In 2014, New Zealand contributed 0.17% to the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. Rangiora in Canterbury holds the record maximum of 42.4 °C recorded in 1973, with Christchurch recording 41.6 °C in that same year. [1632099] Climate is the statistics of weather, usually over a 30-year interval. Winter temperatures are much milder in New Zealand compared to other areas of similar latitude, with the exception of the Central Otago and Mackenzie Basin regions mentioned above. Annual Weather Averages in Cape Campbell Aws. [9], 14–16 February 2004: The Valentine's Day storms left hundreds of people homeless, and silt and floodwaters inundated considerable areas of farmland. This location is classified as Cfb by Köppen and Geiger. [5] The coldest month is usually July and the warmest month is usually January or February. Auckland climate summary The Auckland lies on 54m above sea level The climate in Auckland is warm and temperate. The far north has subtropical weather during summer, while inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10°C (14°F) in winter. You can check on New Zealand weather conditions on the Met Service website(opens in new window). New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern moves a motion in the Parliament House in Wellington, New Zealand, to declare a climate emergency, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. We use cookies to provide you with a better experience on this site. Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountainous areas, like the Central Plateau in the north, and the Southern Alps in the south. Check out what other travelers say about New Zealand on TripAdvisor. Summer and autumn maxima can be found in places closer to the southwest, such as Invercargill and Milford Sound. They are higher in northern, eastern and interior part of the country; Hastings is the warmest city on average with 25.5 °C followed by Gisborne with 24.9 °C and Napier with 24.5 °C. Many rivers breached their banks, bridges were damaged and stock was swept away by floodwaters. Similar storms, some with hail and surface flooding also happened in Whanganui, Manawatu, the central and eastern North Island, Buller and Nelson. A truck was overturned, ships ripped from their moorings in Wellington, and some houses lost their roofs. At Clive the flooding caused the loss of a further 12 lives and one person was drowned near Kapiti. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as – 10°C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, … New Zealand has a predominantly oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb). When the uptake of carbon dioxide by forests (sequestration) is taken into account, net emissions (including removals from land use and forestry) have also risen – by 64.9% since 1990. Daily maximum temperatures are normally in the mid to low 20s (°C) over most of the country. The dominant temperature influence here was the relative warmth of the sea to the south of New Zealand during the Medieval Warm Period (MWP). Data collection for determining the New Zealand climate began in the late 19th century, although European explorers made valid observations of climate indicators such as glaciers and moraines early in that century. Based on descriptions of the storm, particularly that of Captain Marten of the Waiapu, it may have been an extratropical cyclone. September - November Average daytime temperature: 16 - 19˚C (61 - 66˚F), December - February Average daytime temperature: 20 - 25˚C (68 - 77˚F), March - May Average daytime temperature: 17 - 21˚C (62 - 70˚F), June - August Average daytime temperature: 12 - 16˚C (53 - 61˚F). Strong winds are a feature of Wellington’s climate. Generally there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures. Conditions vary from extremely wet on the West Coast of the South Island to almost semi-arid in Central Otago and subtropical in Northland.[1]. Let us show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms by selecting 'On' and allowing us to share data from your visit(s) with our partners. Maxima are generally 10–15 °C (50–59 °F) in the North Island, decreasing as one goes further south or inland. On 18 October, gusts of 183 km/h were recorded at Castlepoint. [2] Rainfall is normally distributed evenly throughout the year in most parts of the country, especially in the South Island. Conditions vary from extremely wet on the West Coast of the South Islandto … Due to these winds, the cooler South Island cities such as Dunedin and Christchurch have higher all-time record temperatures than places further north such as Wellington, Auckland and Whangarei. The climate of New Zealand is varied due to the country's diverse landscape. The climate and weather in New Zealand is mild year round compared to many parts of the world. The climate of New Zealand is varied due to the country's diverse landscape. It also falls heavily in inland Canterbury and Otago. [3] Air laden with water vapour from the ocean is pushed from the west in response to Earth’s rotation. Having such a maritime climate means there is an abundance of sunshine and pleasant temperatures for most of the year. As autumn is also the shoulder season, you can enjoy better rates on accommodation and activities. If you would prefer to enjoy sunny days, but with fewer crowds, the best time to go to New Zealand is in autumn. WELLINGTON: New Zealand promised its public sector would become carbon neutral by 2025 as it declared a climate emergency on Wednesday … As with many islands in the world, the influence of the ocean curtails any extremes in coastal temperature. Mean annual temperatures range from 10 °C (50 °F) in the south to 16 °C (61 °F) in the north. 16 April 1897: The storm of 1897 was a severe storm that struck the lower to central North Island of New Zealand on 16 April 1897. It caused the ship Zuleika to run aground near Cape Palliser, with the loss of 12 lives, and severe flooding. Milford Sound receives over 6,700 mm of the rainfall a year on average while barely 100 km away Alexandra in Central Otago receives only slightly greater than 300 mm annually, giving it a borderline oceanic/semi-arid climate. [14] The onset of cooler climate was about 1450 and lasted until 1850. New Zealand is a popular holiday destination despite its remote location. A pleasant feature of the New Zealand climate is the high proportion of sunshine during the winter months, although there is a marked increase in cloudiness in the North Island in winter -- but little seasonal change in the South Island, except in Southland. It is extremely rare at sea level in the North Island. An example of this is Auckland which has a variation of just 9 °C or 16 °F between the average mid-winter high temperature (14.7 °C or 58.5 °F) and average mid-summer high temperature (23.7 °C or 74.7 °F). The event produced galeforce southerlies, with gusts of 230 km/h in the Tararua Range, and swells of 11m in Cook Strait. More recently, Timaru reached 41.3 °C on Waitangi Day in 2011. The South Island is a bit cooler, with maximum temperatures around 7–12 °C (45–54 °F), though sometimes lower. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's government is to declare a climate emergency in a symbolic step to increase pressure for action to combat global warming. The sunlight here can quickly burn skin from September to April, especially between 10am and 4pm, even on cloudy days. Summer is the most popular time to visit New Zealand. Expect a mixture of weather – crisp, sunny days can briskly change to cooler temperatures with spring showers. Hutt River burst its stopbanks[citation needed] and workers in Petone took refuge on factory roofs while rail links between Wellington city and the Hutt were suspended stranding thousands of commuters. Of course you can get stuck in a run of bad weather in New Zealand, but the sun will usually be back cheering you up again before too long, whatever the season. Wellington: Joining more than 30 countries, New Zealand on Wednesday took the symbolic step of declaring a climate emergency. Cool nights and warm days are common, which makes for pleasant travel weather. The humid westerly wind is forced up over the mountains, at cooler elevation water condenses and falls as snow or rain. We also use cookies to show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms. This is due not only to the latitude of the country but to the fact that most of New Zealand's landmass is relatively close to the sea. Weather conditions in New Zealand can change quickly - no matter when you visit, you should be prepared for anything! New Zealand has become the first country in the world to make climate risk reporting mandatory for banks, asset managers and insurers. Keep browsing if you're happy with this. If you want to ski or snowboard your way down the slopes of the Southern Alps, the best month to visit New Zealand is either July or August. The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. Rainfall at Kelburn totalled 69.5 mm between 7.35pm and 9.10pm. Climate change in New Zealand refers to historical changes in the climate of New Zealand and New Zealand's contribution and response to global warming. The sunniest areas, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Nelson/Marlborough, receive over 2,350 hours of sunshine. Reapply every two hours. Plan your travel to New Zealand. New Zealand consists of a number of different islands with varying climates. A New Zealand colleague, Peter J Morgan, has clarified, by editing, an excellent paper by Cap Allon, of electroverse.net, which shows conclusively that the global temperature record since 1880 is highly related to solar activity, and the stark climate reality is that cold times are returning as a new … Based on weather reports collected during 1985–2015. Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. [14], Climate change in New Zealand refers to historical changes in the climate of New Zealand and New Zealand's contribution and response to global warming. 6–10 March 1988: New Zealand is hit by a tropical cyclone once every eight to nine years. This climate is considered to be Cfb according to the Köppen-Geiger climate … Snow falls in New Zealand's South Island and at higher altitudes in the North Island. The main contributing factors are the Pacific Ocean and latitude, although the mountain ranges can cause significant climate variations in locations barely tens of kilometres from each other. 20–21 June 2013 New Zealand storm: This extra-tropical system was first felt in the South Island by heavy snowfall on 18 and 19 June. At least 40 died during the July rains and more than 11 in the August snows. The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south. The lowest temperature ever recorded was −25.6 °C (−14.1 °F) at Ranfurly in Otago in 1903, with a more recent temperature of −21.6 °C (−6.9 °F) recorded in 1995 in nearby Ophir. New Zealand does have a wet season so you’ll want to keep that in mind when traveling. A civil state of emergency was declared in Whanganui, Manawatu and Rangitikei. It has settled some of the debate regarding links between the Little Ice Age (LIA) in the Northern Hemisphere and the climate in New Zealand at the same time. Wellington sits on a latitude of 41.2 degrees South. Spring arrives in September and lasts until November. Northern and eastern parts of the country, including Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington see a slight winter maximum consistent with a Mediterranean climate. The limited historical record suggests that from 1450 the population of New Zealand underwent significant cultural change which may have links to climate cooling and dramatic changes in food supplies. Snow typically appears during the months of June through to October, though cold snaps can occur outside these months. New Zealand’s climate varies wildly. With a light dusting of snow, Queenstown and the Central Plateau are transformed into winter wonderlands. Total damage caused by the storm was estimated at $14 million. [16][17] In 2014, New Zealand contributed 0.17% to the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. [9], 10 January 2002: Thunderstorms over Wellington resulted in torrential rainfall, about 40 mm in 30 minutes, and flash floods in the city centre. MPs voted 76 … From March to May the weather is still reasonably warm – particularly in the north – but the crowds have thinned out. Temperatures also drop about 0.7 °C or 1.3 °F for every 100 m of altitude. This orographic rain explains the huge difference in conditions between the wet west and dry east of the South Island.[4]. Winter in New Zealand is the best time to visit if you’re enthusiastic about snow sports. New Zealand joins 32 other countries including Japan, Canada, France and Britain that have declared a climate emergency. Spring in New Zealand spans September, October and November. However, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures year-round. Temperature variation throughout the day is also relatively small. New Zealand's climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas. Even the driest month still has a lot of rainfall. The mountains, however, can be extremely cold. Schools were cancelled during the shortest day (21 June), due to massive damage. The exception to this is inland areas and to the east of the ranges with daily variations that can be over 25 °C and differences of up to 14 °C between the average summer and winter high temperatures. Prime minister says New Zealand is doing more than activist suggests after Thunberg tweets about ‘so-called climate emergency declaration’ Last modified on … [9], 20 December 1976: Heavy rain caused widespread flooding and landslides in Wellington City and Hutt Valley. In Wellington, the average annual temperature is … Between 1990 and 2017, New Zealand's gross emissions (excluding removals from land use and forestry) increased by 23.1%. Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy explain how we use your data and who our partners are. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10 C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine. November is one of the driest months of the year, so one can count on a pleasant weather in New Zealand throughout November to perfect their stay, at least in most of the localities on the North Island. Cape Campbell Aws is 21 miles from New Zealand, so the actual climate in New Zealand can vary a bit. The main contributing factors are the Pacific Ocean and latitude, although the mountain ranges can cause significant climate variations in locations barely tens of kilometres from each other. New Zealand Temperatures. From July to August 1863 the Otago gold fields suffered from a combination of floods, snowstorms, and blizzards that caused heavy loss of life among the gold miners. As well as producing areas of stunning native forest, the high rainfall makes New Zealand an ideal place for farming and horticulture. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10 C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine. [9], 13–27 October 1998: Gale force northwesterlies blew throughout the lower North Island. The majority of the country is on the coastline and has lots of sunshine. Eastern parts of the South Island are highly susceptible to the norwester, a Fohn wind which can result in temperatures going into the high 30s and even the low 40s. There is significant rainfall throughout the year in Auckland. The country’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern will introduce the motion in the parliament next week and if passed the move will be a symbolic announcement about the government’s commitment towards doing more for the climate and bringing climate change to the … The storm is currently thought to have been an extratropical cyclone. Over the northern and central areas of New Zealand more rain falls in winter than in summer, whereas for much of the southern part of New Zealand, winter is the season of least rainfall. 1–6 February 1868: The Great storm of 1868 was a violent storm that swept across much of New Zealand wrecking 12 ships and causing extensive flooding. New Zealand’s climate varies wildly. 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