New Zealand records its ninth-warmest summer, NIWA reports

The season was marked by an atypical climatic setup, with air pressure higher than usual over and to the east of the North Island

Community Press
March 05, 2024
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The season was marked by an atypical climatic setup, with air pressure higher than usual over and to the east of the North Island, and lower than usual to the south.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA), New Zealand's foremost environmental science and applied research body, has announced that the summer of 2023-24 ranked as the ninth-warmest on record across the nation, underlining significant climatic fluctuations and extreme weather events during the season.

Unusual climate patterns observed:

The season was marked by an atypical climatic setup, with air pressure higher than usual over and to the east of the North Island, and lower than usual to the south. This scenario led to an increase in westerly winds across the South Island and lower North Island, coinciding with the declining phase of a strong El Niño event in the equatorial Pacific.

Across the country, warmth prevails:

Temperatures: The period witnessed above-average temperatures for most of Aotearoa, with the North Island and segments of the South Island experiencing markedly warmer conditions.
Nationwide Average: The country's average temperature reached 17.6°C, notably 0.8°C above the 1991-2020 summer average, according to NIWA's seven-station temperature series.

Drought and rainfall variations:

Drought Conditions: Significant dry spells were noted in regions including Northland, East Cape, and parts of the South Island, leading to several notable wildfires.
Rainfall Discrepancies: While a number of areas dealt with below-normal rainfall, certain parts of the North Island and the South Island received rainfall levels above normal.

Extreme weather records set:

The season experienced weather extremes from the highest temperature of 37.0°C at Hanmer Forest to the lowest of -0.7°C in Cass, Canterbury.
A record single-day rainfall of 330 mm was reported at Milford Sound, and the highest wind gust reached 172 km/h at South West Cape.

Sunlight and urban highlights:

Nelson and its environs were named the sunniest locations, contributing significantly to the season's warmth.
In terms of the six main centres, Auckland and Tauranga were jointly the warmest, Christchurch was identified as the driest, and Dunedin as the coolest and least sunny.

NIWA's detailed report highlights the impact of climate variability on New Zealand, with the summer of 2023-24 acting as a vivid reminder of the challenges presented by global climate change.