Temperature: Cold start, hot finish - extreme temperatures along the way. Rainfall: Very wet in Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Gisborne, Southland and the West Coast. Extremely dry in Northland, below normal rainfall in Auckland and east of the South Island. Soil moisture: Severe soil moisture deficits continued all summer in Northland, and developed by late summer in parts of Auckland, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago. Sunshine: Extremely sunny for the southern South Island and Northland. Very cloudy from Taranaki to Wellington.

It was a topsy-turvy summer. It started out extremely cold, with record cold temperatures in early December, but finished hot, with heat waves and above average temperatures in February. Overall, the New Zealand national average temperature for summer was near normal (16.6C, 0.1C below the long-term seasonal average). Summer temperatures were above average (between 0.5C and 1.2C above average) for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and the Bay of Plenty, as well as in inland and western areas of the South Island. Below average temperatures (between 1.2C and 0.5C below average) were observed about coastal Otago. Elsewhere, summer temperatures were close to normal.

Summer rainfalls were well above normal in Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Gisborne, and parts of Southland and the West Coast. In contrast, it continued extremely dry in Northland. Below normal rainfall also occurred in Auckland and the east of the South Island. Near normal summer rainfall was observed elsewhere. The most significant rainfall event of summer occurred on January 31st, affecting the eastern and central North Island, as well as Waikato and Coromandel. A moist, easterly air stream brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to these areas, causing flooding, slips, and road closures. Particularly hard hit were Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

Summer sunshine totals were well above normal (more than 125 percent of normal) at either end of the country, with Kaitaia and Balclutha both experiencing their sunniest summer on record. In contrast, it was very cloudy (between 75 and 90 percent of normal sunshine hours) from Taranaki to Wellington.

Overall, it was an "El Nio" summer. Summer 2009/10 was characterised by more 'highs' in the Tasman Sea and over northern New Zealand, resulting in stronger than normal southwest winds over the country. This climate pattern resulted in well below average summer rainfall, and associated drought conditions, in Northland. Severe soil moisture deficits also developed by the end of summer in parts of Auckland, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago, following a very dry February.

Further Highlights: The highest summer temperature was 35.6C recorded at Cheviot on February 22nd (2nd highest summer temperature at this site). The lowest summer temperature of -3.5C was recorded at Lumsden on December 3rd (a new summer record at this site). The highest 1-day summer rainfall was 203 mm recorded at Franz Josef on 6 January (not a record). The peak wind gust was 182 km/hr recorded at Cape Turnagain on 12 December (not a record). Of the six main centres this summer, Tauranga was the warmest and sunniest, Dunedin the coolest, Hamilton the wettest, and Christchurch the driest.

For further information, please contact: Ms Georgina Griffiths - Climate Scientist- NIWA National Climate Centre, Auckland, Tel. (09) 375 4506 (work) or (027) 2936545 (mobile); or Dr Andrew Tait - Climate Scientist - NIWA National Climate Centre, Wellington, Tel. (04) 386 0562 (work) or (027) 327 7948 (mobile)

TEMPERATURES: ABOVE AVERAGE IN THE NORTH OF THE NORTH ISLAND AND INLAND AND WESTERN AREAS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND; NEAR AVERAGE ELSEWHERE.

Overall, summer temperatures were above average (between 0.5C and 1.2C above average) for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and the Bay of Plenty, as well as in inland and western areas of the South Island. Below average temperatures (between 1.2C and 0.5C below average) were observed about coastal Otago. Elsewhere, summer temperatures were close to normal. The New Zealand national average temperature for summer was in the normal range (16.6C, 0.1C below the long-term average).

It was extremely warm in Northland and Auckland, with the summer of 2009/10 being the warmest summer on record for Kerikeri and Whangaparaoa. In contrast, it was an extremely cold summer in the far south, and around Cape Campbell. Morning temperatures in Dunedin this summer were the lowest on record.

Extreme summer mean maximum daily air temperatures were recorded at:

Location Mean maximum air temperature (C) Departure from normal (C) Year records began Comments Kaitaia 24.2 0.3 1985 2nd-highest Kerikeri 25.3 1.4 1981 Highest Whangarei 24.8 1.0 1967 3rd-highest Whangaparaoa 23.7 1.9 1982 Highest Appleby 23.0 1.3 1943 2nd-highest Cape Campbell 18.3 -3.1 1953 3rd-lowest Gore 18.0 -0.8 1971 4th-lowest Balclutha, Telford 18.3 -1.4 1964 3rd-lowest

Extreme summer mean minimum daily air temperatures were recorded at:

Location Mean minimum air temperature (C) Departure from normal (C) Year records began Comments Reefton 11.7 1.3 1960 4th-highest Kaitaia 13.0 -1.7 1967 2nd-lowest Warkworth 13.7 -1.0 1966 3rd-lowest Le Bons Bay 10.8 -0.3 1984 4th-lowest Dunedin (Airport) 8.1 -0.8 1947 Lowest RAINFALL: VERY WET IN HAWKES BAY, WAIRARAPA, GISBORNE, PARTS OF SOUTHLAND AND THE WEST COAST. EXTREMELY DRY IN NORTHLAND. BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL IN AUCKLAND AND THE EAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND.

Summer rainfalls were well above average (with rainfall totals above 150 percent of summer normal) in Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Gisborne, and parts of Southland and the West Coast. In contrast, it continued extremely dry in Northland. Kaitaia recorded its driest summer ever, since records began in 1967. Below normal summer rainfall also occurred in Auckland and the east of the South Island, with totals between 50 and 75 percent of normal. Near normal summer rainfall was observed elsewhere. Record or near-record summer rainfall totals were recorded at:

Location Rainfall total (mm) Percentage of normal Year records began Comments Castlepoint 417 232 1902 2nd-highest Lumsden 289 107 1982 4th-highest Kaitaia 80 30 1967 Lowest Kerikeri 140 45 1981 3rd-lowest Kumeu 177 69 1978 3rd-lowest Blenheim 67 48 1941 4th-lowest SUNSHINE: EXTREMELY SUNNY FOR THE SOUTHERN SOUTH ISLAND AND NORTHLAND. VERY CLOUDY FROM TARANAKI TO WELLINGTON. Summer sunshine totals were well above normal (more than 125 percent of normal) at either end of the country, with Kaitaia and Balclutha both experiencing their sunniest summer on record. In contrast, it was very cloudy (between 75 and 90 percent of normal sunshine hours) from Taranaki to Wellington, including parts of the Wairarapa. Elsewhere, summer sunshine totals were close to normal.

Record or near-record summer sunshine hours were recorded at:

Location Sunshine (hours) Percentage Of normal Year records began Comments Kaitaia 803 125 1985 Highest Balclutha 690 133 1964 Highest Martinborough 552 86 1986 4th-lowest Wallaceville 499 79 1939 3rd-lowest

SUMMER CLIMATE IN THE SIX MAIN CENTRES

Summer temperatures were above average in Tauranga and Hamilton, and near average in the other main centres. It was a drier than normal summer for Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, but summer rainfalls in Tauranga, Hamilton and Wellington were near seasonal normal. Sunshine totals were above normal for Tauranga and Dunedin, below normal for Wellington, and near normal in the other main centres.

Of the six main centres this summer, Tauranga was the warmest and sunniest, Dunedin the coolest, Hamilton the wettest, and Christchurch the driest. Summer 2009 main centre climate statistics:

Location Mean temp. (C) Departure from normal (C) Rainfall (mm) % of normal Sunshine (hours) % of normal Aucklanda 19.1 -0.2C Near average 131 60% Below normal 645 101% Near normal Taurangab 19.7 +1.0C Above average 260 109% Near normal 771 110% Above normal Hamiltonc 18.3 +0.6C Above average 296 112% Near normal 612 94% Near normal Wellingtond 16.0 -0.4C Near average 251 114% Near normal 594 87% Below normal Christchurche 16.2 -0.4C Near average 90 69% Below normal 592 92% Near normal Dunedinf 14.5 -0.2C Near average 145 67% Below normal 591 118% Above normal a Mangere b Tauranga Airport c Hamilton Airport d Kelburn e Christchurch Airport f Musselburgh g Ruakura HIGHLIGHTS AND EXTREME EVENTS

Heavy rain, flooding, lightning and hail

The highest 1-day summer rainfall was 203 mm recorded at Franz Josef on 6 January (not a record). Other notable summer weather events, in which several sites recorded their largest-ever 1-day summer rainfall amount, include the heavy rainfall event on January 21st in Central Otago, the floods in Napier and the Wairarapa on January 22nd, and the heavy rainfall on 30 and 31 January across much of the North Island.

Heavy rain caused localised flooding in parts of Auckland, the North Shore and Waikato on 2 and 4 December. On 11 December, wet weather caused a giant slip, that blocked SH3 north of New Plymouth. On 14 December, severe hailstorms in inland Canterbury (from Geraldine to north of Rangiora) caused significant damage to vegetable and arable crops.

After heavy rainfall in the Tararua Ranges on 27 December, the Tokomaru River in the Manawatu rose above its banks, resulting in localised flooding. On 29 December, SH1 was closed south of Levin when the Kuku stream burst its banks. The Kahuterawa River near Linton reached levels not seen in many years. The North Manakau Road bridge between Otaki and Levin was closed as a precaution amid fears rising water could wash away the approach to the structure.

On 3 January, SH6, south of Fox Glacier, was closed for more than six hours after the northern bank of Bullock Creek broke.

In the 10 minutes before 2 pm on 7 January, Invercargill Airport recorded 8.4 mm of rain. The intense rainfall was caused by a mid-afternoon thunderstorm, with hail covering northern and central Invercargill. Buildings throughout the CBD, including the Southland District Council and the Invercargill Public Library, were flooded. The thunderstorm also caused electricity cuts, which affected 3500 customers in southern Invercargill, Bluff and Awarua.

The Desert Road was closed by heavy rain about 10.30 pm on 15 January, and re-opened the following morning. On 16 January, heavy rain flooded campsites in the Wairarapa, and closed Paekakariki Hill Road, north of Wellington, when a slip and large trees blocked both lanes. The Wairoa A&P Show, held over the weekend of 16-17 January, was also affected by heavy rain, with events such as woodchopping, equestrian, and shearing either cancelled, cut back, or moved to an alternative location.

On 21 January, thunderstorm activity associated with a complex low over the country affected the Ida Valley, Central Otago, producing very intense rainfall rates - several of which were the highest on record for summer. On the same day, thunderstorms and lightning affected the water treatment plant in Hamilton.

On 22 January, heavy rain flooded streets in Flaxmere, near Hastings, and closed SH50 between Ongaonga and Tikokino. The flash flooding was caused by downpours from thunderstorms in the area. Overnight on 22-23 January, Hawkes Bay experienced about 2000 lightning strikes. On 23 January, heavy rain caused a large slip on SH5, near Titiokura Summit, with one lane closed, and other sections of the road affected by flooding.

On 26 January lightning struck the central North Island, especially Taranaki, Taumarunui and South Waikato. On 27 January, torrential rain caused flooding in the Fairy Springs Road area of Rotorua, and blocked SH1 near Lake Karapiro. Several homes in Cambridge were flooded. Again, the downpours were caused by thunderstorm activity, with a severe electrical storm centred directly over Hamilton City.

Exceptionally heavy rain, associated with moist easterly conditions and numerous embedded thunderstorms, affected the North Island on 30 and 31 January, causing numerous slips, and floods, and closing SH5 between Napier and Taupo, and SH2 north of Gisborne. Rising floodwaters and debris buckled a bridge on the Waipaoa River, isolating more than 30 people at Waipaoa Station. Mangatuna village residents were moved out in the morning as the Uawa River rose, allowed to return several hours later, but were evacuated again in the afternoon. In the Coromandel, Hahei and the Hot Water Beach area were cut off by flooding on Hot Water Beach Road. Tairua was accessible from the north but not from the south, and SH25 at Onemana near Opoutere was blocked by flooding. In the Auckland region, homes were flooded on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, North Shore, Auckland City, and Howick.

Heavy rain and high rivers on 14 February forced changes to the planned route of the 'Coast to Coast' Race from Kumara to Christchurch, the first time in 28 years that "Plan B" had been activated.

Record or 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

Karangahake Gorge 113 Jan-31st 1981 2nd-highest Waitoa 54 Jan-31st 1987 4th-highest Morrinsville 80 Jan-31st 1978 2nd-highest Raglan 83 Jan-31st 1983 3rd-highest Horsham Downs 86 Jan-31st 1973 2nd-highest Maungatautari 89 Jan-31st 1975 2nd-highest Makairo 67 Jan-22nd 1968 3rd-highest Masterton 84 Jan-22nd 1926 2nd-highest Waiawa, Whareama 104 Jan-22nd 1968 2nd-highest Castlepoint 160 Jan-22nd 1907 Highest Wairarapa Cadet Farm 87 Jan-22nd 1951 Highest Gladstone Te Kopi 75 Jan-22nd 1953 2nd-highest Te Wharau, Waimoana 75 Jan-22nd 1958 2nd-highest Otoko 115 Jan-30th 1913 3rd-highest Waihirere, Glanavon 70 Jan-30th 1961 4th-highest Waingake 139 Jan-30th 1946 2nd-highest Ahititi Stn 131 Jan-30th 1973 2nd-highest Mokairau, Pakarae 145 Jan-30th 1947 3rd-highest Te Pohue, Hawkes Bay 167 Jan-31st 1983 Highest Tareha 160 Jan-31st 1949 2nd-highest Taurapa 90 Jan-31st 1965 Highest Brentwood 152 Jan-31st 1966 Highest Ongaonga 70 Jan-22nd 1969 4th-highest Lumsden 53 Jan-21st 1982 2nd-highest Cromwell 48 Jan-21st 1949 4th-highest Lauder 64 Jan-21st 1945 2nd-highest Alexandra 39 Jan-21st 1983 Highest Ettrick 56 Jan-21st 1950 Highest

Temperature

It was a topsy-turvy summer. It started out extremely cold, with record cold temperatures in early December, but finished hot, with heat waves and well above average temperatures in February. The highest summer temperature was 35.6C recorded at Cheviot on February 22nd (the 2nd highest summer temperature at this site).

Record or near-record low afternoon temperatures were recorded at numerous sites on 3 and 4 December, from one end of the country to the other, associated with an unseasonably cold southerly event.

Record or near-record warm afternoon conditions were experienced at several sites at the end of January and start of February (29 January - 2 February), linked to sub-tropical, easterly conditions. Notably, several sites on the West Coast of the South Island recorded heat-wave temperatures in this period, showing foehn warming with these easterly winds.

Extreme daily maximum air temperatures were recorded at:

Location Extreme maximum temperature (C) Date of extreme temperature Year Records Began Comments Kerikeri 30.4 Feb-14th 1981 Highest Whangaparaoa 28.6 Jan-30th 1982 Highest Westport 28.5 Jan-31st 1937 Highest Hokitika 27.7 Jan-31st 1963 4th-highest Greymouth 28.7 Feb-01st 1947 3rd-highest Franz Josef 27.2 Jan-31st 1982 4th-highest Milford Sound 28.5 Feb-01st 1934 Highest Cheviot 35.6 Feb-22nd 1982 2nd-highest Warkworth 16.4 Dec-04th 1966 2nd-lowest Whangaparaoa 16.6 Dec-04th 1982 2nd-lowest Kumeu 15.8 Dec-04th 1978 2nd-lowest Whenuapai 16.0 Dec-04th 1951 2nd-lowest Henderson 16.3 Dec-04th 1971 Equal 3rd-lowest Whitianga 16.1 Dec-04th 1971 2nd-lowest Paeroa 15.8 Dec-04th 1971 Lowest Tauranga 15.5 Dec-04th 1941 3rd-lowest Rotorua 13.0 Dec-04th 1972 Lowest Taupo 12.0 Dec-04th 1976 Lowest Pukekohe 16.3 Dec-04th 1972 2nd-lowest Hamilton 17.0 Dec-04th 1972 Equal 4th-lowest Masterton 11.6 Dec-03rd 1943 Equal 3rd-lowest Kopua 10.0 Dec-03rd 1972 Lowest Takapau Plains 9.8 Dec-03rd 1972 Lowest Dannevirke 11.5 Dec-03rd 1951 3rd-lowest Castlepoint 10.7 Dec-03rd 1972 Lowest Martinborough 12.4 Dec-03rd 1986 3rd-lowest Ngawi 12.5 Dec-03rd 1972 2nd-lowest Gisborne 14.0 Dec-03rd 1940 Lowest Napier (Airport) 13.0 Dec-03rd 1973 Lowest Hastings 12.8 Dec-03rd 1972 3rd-lowest Waipawa 11.4 Dec-03rd 1945 Lowest Wairoa, North Clyde 13.6 Dec-03rd 1972 2nd-lowest Wallaceville 12.1 Dec-03rd 1972 2nd-lowest Hawera 13.2 Dec-03rd 1977 Lowest Takaka 15.2 Dec-04th 1985 Equal 4th-lowest Farewell Spit 14.9 Dec-04th 1972 4th-lowest Franz Josef 10.5 Dec-13th 1982 Lowest Blenheim 13.0 Dec-03rd 1972 3rd-lowest Arthurs Pass 7.8 Dec-13th 1973 4th-lowest Orari Estate 10.0 Dec-02nd 1972 Equal 2nd-lowest Timaru 11.0 Dec-02nd 1972 Equal 2nd-lowest Oamaru 10.0 Dec-02nd 1972 Lowest Naseby Forest 8.7 Dec-02nd 1983 4th-lowest Palmerston 10.7 Dec-02nd 1972 3rd-lowest Dunedin (Airport) 11.0 Dec-02nd 1972 4th-lowest Tiwai Point 10.8 Dec-20th 1972 3rd-lowest Balclutha, Telford 11.0 Dec-02nd 1972 3rd-lowest

The lowest summer temperature of -3.5C was recorded at Lumsden on December 3rd (a summer record at this site).

Extreme daily minimum air temperatures were recorded at:

Location Extreme minimum temperature (C) Date of extreme temperature Year Records began Comments Kerikeri 8.0 Dec-16th 1978 Equal 4th-lowest Warkworth 5.2 Dec-16th 1966 Lowest Whangaparaoa 9.0 Dec-18th 1982 4th-lowest Ardmore 4.1 Dec-17th 1969 Equal 4th-lowest Martinborough 1.4 Dec-22nd 1986 2nd-lowest Napier 4.0 Dec-22nd 1973 3rd-lowest Waipawa 1.1 Dec-22nd 1945 Equal 4th-lowest Woodbury 0.0 Dec-02nd 1973 Equal 4th-lowest Dunedin -0.7 Dec-04th 1947 Lowest Lumsden -3.5 Dec-03rd 1982 Lowest Balclutha, Telford 1.0 Feb-08th 1964 4th-lowest Whangaparaoa 20.6 Feb-18th 1982 Highest Whakatane 20.0 Jan-26th 1975 4th-highest Napier 22.0 Jan-04th 1973 3rd-highest Takaka 19.5 Feb-01st 1978 2nd-highest Greymouth 18.4 Jan-17th 1972 Equal 4th-highest Puysegur Point 18.1 Feb-23rd 1978 2nd-highest Kaikoura 20.0 Feb-25th 1972 3rd-highest Naseby Forest 17.6 Dec-26th 1984 Highest

High winds and tornadoes

The peak wind gust was 182 km/hr recorded at Cape Turnagain on 12 December (not a record). Also 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.

On 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).

Gales hit the bottom of the South Island on 1 January damaging trees in Invercargill. In South Canterbury, SH 8 between Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo was closed at about 6pm to motorcycles and high-sided vehicles. In Wanaka, a power line was brought down by the gale, disrupting power supplies.

On 3 January, winds created havoc during the annual New Year Regatta in Napier, with one girl concussed, and another fished out of the water after boats collided. About half of the 120 boats, competing in 12 classes, withdrew from the regatta. Strong winds were also recorded in Wellington, with Mt. Kaukau recording an extreme gust of 145 km/hr.

On 31 January, gale force winds battered Taranaki, bringing down power lines and trees. The electricity supply was cut to parts of New Plymouth city, Bell Block, and Patea. SH45 near Lucy's Gully, and SH3, just south of Egmont Village, were partially blocked by fallen trees. Some flights in and out of New Plymouth airport were cancelled.

Extreme high wind gusts for spring were recorded at:

Location Extreme wind gust speed (km/hr) Date of extreme gust Year Records Began Comments

Farewell Spit 93 Dec-30th 1973 Equal 4th-highest Blenheim 109 Dec-30th 1972 3rd-highest

Fog

On the morning of 18 January, Wellington airport was affected by fog, with more than 20 outbound flights cancelled, and five incoming flights diverted.

Wellington city was affected by fog in the evening of 26 January, and on the morning of 27 January.

Fog closed Wellington Airport again on the morning of 29 January, forcing cancellations and delays.