New Zealand records third-warmest winter on record

New Zealand experienced its third-warmest winter on record, according to Earth Sciences New Zealand. The nationwide average temperature was 9.7°C, which is 1.1°C above the 1991-2020 winter average.

The warmth was driven by an exceptionally warm June and high temperatures throughout the South Island, where readings were between 0.51°C and over 1.20°C above average. While many parts of the North Island also saw above-average temperatures, regions such as Northland, Auckland, and Waikato remained near average.

Rainfall patterns varied significantly by region. Southland, Otago, Canterbury, and the West Coast saw above-normal or well-above-normal rainfall. Conversely, large portions of the North Island, including Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay, experienced below-normal rainfall. Heavy rainfall between 5-9 July led to the declaration of three local states of emergency in eastern parts of the country.

Meteorological factors included strengthening El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific atmosphere and ocean. Notable extremes included a high of 26.0°C in Christchurch on 20 June and a low of -13.5°C at Lake Tekapo on 12 July.