Spring time in Otago was one of record breaking cold and dry
weather.
Ranfurly experienced its driest spring in about 70 years and
Dunedin, Queenstown and Wanaka all experienced some of the
lowest rainfalls since their records began more than 80 years
ago, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
(Niwa) spring national climate summary shows.
The records are based on temperature and rainfall readings
from September to the end of November.
Spring temperatures were also record breaking, with Dunedin
experiencing its hottest spring day (31.1degC ) since 1947 on
November 23 and also the coldest spring minimum temperatures
on record.
Climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said spring 2009 was
characterised by stronger than normal southwest winds over
New Zealand, caused by lower pressures to the southeast of
the South Island consistent with El Nino.
The New Zealand national average temperature for spring was
11.6degC (0.4degC below the long-term seasonal average).
Of the six main centres, Dunedin was the driest, Christchurch
the sunniest and coolest, Wellington the wettest and Tauranga
the warmest.
The low spring minimum temperature records recorded across
New Zealand from September 4-6, were caused by an intense
slow moving anticyclone lying over the country which brought
clear skies, light winds and extreme frost conditions, she
said.
In contrast, record high morning temperatures were
experienced from November 21-24, caused by strong
northwesterly winds, with Balclutha also reaching its second
highest temperature (27.6degC) on the 23rd, she said.
Low spring mean minimum daily temperatures were recorded at
Dunedin - 4.4degC, the lowest since records began in 1947 -
and Queenstown - 3.8degC, the second lowest since 1871.
Balclutha recorded its second lowest mean maximum daily
temperature of 14.2degC since records began in 1964.
Spring rainfall was below normal over much of the South
Island with totals often less than 50% of spring normal along
the Main Divide, in the lakes district and Otago, she said.
Wanaka recorded 56mm, 30% of its normal rainfall and the
second lowest since records began in 1927; Ranfurly 40mm, 39%
of normal and the lowest since 1943; Dunedin 99mm, 59% of
normal and fourth lowest since 1947; and Queenstown 80mm, 44%
of normal and the fourth lowest since 1871.
rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
