Mean annual temperatures range from 10 Â°C (50 Â°F) in the south to 16 Â°C (61 Â°F) in the north. Reapply every two hours. [18], New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions are on the increase rather than declining. 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. [3] Air laden with water vapour from the ocean is pushed from the west in response to Earth’s rotation. The average New Zealand temperature … and min. The average recurrence interval of this rainfall event was estimated at more than 100 years. [14] The onset of cooler climate was about 1450 and lasted until 1850. The humid westerly wind is forced up over the mountains, at cooler elevation water condenses and falls as snow or rain. [9], 14–16 February 2004: The Valentine's Day storms left hundreds of people homeless, and silt and floodwaters inundated considerable areas of farmland. At least 40 died during the July rains and more than 11 in the August snows. Most regions of New Zealand belong to the temperate zone with a maritime climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb) characterised by four distinct seasons. Source: NIWA. In summer, it rarely gets hot, and in winter, it rarely … [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. With a light dusting of snow, Queenstown and the Central Plateau are transformed into winter wonderlands. 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. Spring arrives in September and lasts until November. Ardern said the science on climate change was clear and New Zealand had to acknowledge the threat. 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). Mountain chains extending the length of New Zealand provide a barrier for the prevailing westerly winds, dividing the country … 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. 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. The climate of New Zealand New Zealand has a predominantly oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb). As with many islands in the world, the influence of the ocean curtails any extremes in coastal temperature. Having such a maritime climate means there is an abundance of sunshine and pleasant temperatures for most of … 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. How much rain a place receives is highly dependent on topography. Mild. [9], 10 January 2002: Thunderstorms over Wellington resulted in torrential rainfall, about 40 mm in 30 minutes, and flash floods in the city centre. 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]. This cooling may have had a substantial impact on population in those areas. 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 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. It also falls heavily in inland Canterbury and Otago. New Zealand experiences relatively little air pollution compared to many other countries, and less ozone, which makes the UV rays in our sunlight very strong. New Zealand joined more than 30 other countries from around the world by taking the symbolic step of declaring a climate emergency. Two people died, and isolated landslips closed some Wellington roads and parts of State Highway 1. You can check on New Zealand weather conditions on the Met Service website(opens in new window). Snow falls in New Zealand's South Island and at higher altitudes in the North Island. Rainfall at Kelburn totalled 69.5 mm between 7.35pm and 9.10pm. 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. Summer holidays mean more Kiwis are travelling New Zealand too, making the most of the sunshine and Christmas break. New Zealand lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, 1200 … The two largest cities on the South Island, Christchurch and Dunedin, have mean yearly maxima of 17.3 Â°C (63.1 Â°F) and 14.6 Â°C (58.3 Â°F) and yearly mean minima of 7.3 Â°C (45.1 Â°F) and 7.6 Â°C (45.7 Â°F) respectively. 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. Most cities receive between 620 mm or 24 in (as in Christchurch) and 1,317 mm or 51.9 in (Whangarei) of precipitation annually. New Zealand’s climate varies wildly. “It can do harm in making people think that by declaring an emergency something has happened, when it hasn’t,” National leader Judith Collins told Radio New Zealand. We use cookies to provide you with a better experience on this site. This weather circulates the southern seas largely unimpeded by land until is reaches the Southern Alps. A few regions exhibit a subpolar oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc), while mountain tops fall under subarctic (Köppen Dfc) and tundra (Köppen ET) zones. New Zealand annual average land surface temperature anomaly from 1909 to 2018 with a locally weighted ('Lowess') trend lines. 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. Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountainous areas, like the Central Plateau in the north, and the Southern Alps in the south. 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. Recent (2010) studies by Victoria University have shown that the regional climates most affected were in coastal Otago and Southland. While the coastal areas of the North Island may experience some frost overnight in winter, it very rarely snows there. [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. and min. About 40 lives were known lost and at the time an estimated £500,000 to £1 million worth of damage was caused. Use SPF 30+ sunscreen. Cool nights and warm days are common, which makes for pleasant travel weather. Check out what other travelers say about New Zealand on TripAdvisor. Northern and eastern parts of the country, including Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington see a slight winter maximum consistent with a Mediterranean climate. The weather is often variable, and there can be sunshine and rain alternating in a few hours, as is typical of oceanic climates. 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. This was an opportunity for New Zealand to elaborate and expand on its policy initiatives and domestic climate change policy 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. 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. From about 1350 this region was notably warmer but then cooled relatively quickly from 1450. (Weather station: Cape Campbell Aws, New Zealand). 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. 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. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) By David Hall , By and Raven Cretney Similar storms, some with hail and surface flooding also happened in Whanganui, Manawatu, the central and eastern North Island, Buller and Nelson. New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. [2] Rainfall is normally distributed evenly throughout the year in most parts of the country, especially in the South Island. 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. New Zealand is not living up to its climate change promises when it comes to helping fund poorer countries adapt to a warming world, a report by Oxfam has found. 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. Spring is also when calves, lambs and daffodils pop up in New Zealand’s green fields, so it’s an incredibly picturesque time. To view cookie details and how to opt-out, please see our Cookie Policy. Annual Weather Averages in Cape Campbell Aws. [14], Evidence found that the climate was more strongly influenced by the impact of tropical air masses in warm periods and polar air masses in cool periods. [9], 25 July and 14 August 2011 New Zealand snowstorms: The first severe winter storm brought the coldest winter snap in fifteen years. The sunlight here can quickly burn skin from September to April, especially between 10am and 4pm, even on cloudy days. The dominant temperature influence here was the relative warmth of the sea to the south of New Zealand during the Medieval Warm Period (MWP). If you would prefer to enjoy sunny days, but with fewer crowds, the best time to go to New Zealand is in autumn. These areas can experience summer temperatures in the low 30s Â°C (high 80s/low 90s °F) and snow and severe frosts in winter, the latter exacerbated by hoar frosts in the river valleys and basins. Northern cities such as Auckland, Whangarei, and Tauranga experience mean yearly maxima of between 19–20 Â°C (66–68 Â°F) and mean yearly minima of around 11–12 Â°C (52–54 Â°F). Cape Campbell Aws is 21 miles from New Zealand, so the actual climate in … New Zealand has been ranked middle-of-the-pack when it comes to fighting climate change in a new report. Weather in New Zealand can be unpredictable. 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 average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south. 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. 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. January and February are the warmest months, and July is the coldest month of the year. This orographic rain explains the huge difference in conditions between the wet west and dry east of the South Island.[4]. More than 350 mm of rain fell in 24 hours.[9]. 4 October 1997: More than 60 homes were flooded and residents in Lower Hutt riverside areas were evacuated during downpours. Maxima are generally 10–15 Â°C (50–59 Â°F) in the North Island, decreasing as one goes further south or inland. Indications are that temperatures were in the range of 1.5-2.0 degree Celsius lower than present during the New Zealand LIA. Landslides destroyed houses and a boy was killed by a collapsing wall when a slip struck a hall in Crofton Downs. 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. 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. Total damage caused by the storm was estimated at $14 million. The exception to this is inland areas and to the east of the ranges with daily variations that can be over 25 Â°C and differences of up to 14 Â°C between the average summer and winter high temperatures. Between 1990 and 2017, New Zealand's gross emissions (excluding removals from land use and forestry) increased by 23.1%. Keep browsing if you're happy with this. Based on descriptions of the storm, particularly that of Captain Marten of the Waiapu, it may have been an extratropical cyclone. Glacial evidence of climate is matched by evidence of variations in tree ring growth and studies of ice core and ocean sediment samples indicating the types of microorganisms (some flourish in warm temperatures, other in cooler temperatures) and historical carbon dioxide ratios. New Zealand’s Climate Change minister James Shaw was quoted as saying in a press release on November 26, “We are in the midst of a climate crisis that will impact on nearly every aspect of our lives and the type of planet our children will inherit from us. Eastern cities on the North Island such as Gisborne, Napier, and Hastings also have mean yearly maxima of between 19–20 Â°C (66–68 Â°F) but have slightly lower yearly mean minima of around 9–10 Â°C (48–50 Â°F). Rangiora in Canterbury holds the record maximum of 42.4 Â°C recorded in 1973, with Christchurch recording 41.6 Â°C in that same year. 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. 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 e… The lowest temperature ever recorded was −25.6 Â°C (−14.1 Â°F) at Ranfurly in Otago in 1903, with a more recent temperature of −21.6 Â°C (−6.9 Â°F) recorded in 1995 in nearby Ophir. Snow typically appears during the months of June through to October, though cold snaps can occur outside these months. At Clive the flooding caused the loss of a further 12 lives and one person was drowned near Kapiti. Find out what to expect from the weather during your visit. Locals like to joke that you can experience four seasons in one day! 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. The greater temperature ranges are found in the interior of the Canterbury and Otago regions, and especially Central Otago. [5] The coldest month is usually July and the warmest month is usually January or February. Winds were most severe on the following two days, when a gust of 215 km/h was recorded on a Wairarapa farm. Summer and autumn maxima can be found in places closer to the southwest, such as Invercargill and Milford Sound. A truck was overturned, ships ripped from their moorings in Wellington, and some houses lost their roofs. 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. [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, Average max. The Act enshrines long-term emissions reduction targets, five-year emissions budgets, as well as a number of governance structures and processes to support their … The sunniest areas, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Nelson/Marlborough, receive over 2,350 hours of sunshine. “Significant loss of biodiversity is projected to occur by 2020 in some ecologically-rich sites including the Great Barrier Reef and … 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. 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. New Zealand’s centre-right opposition National Party rejected the climate emergency declaration, labelling it “virtue signalling”. Currently: 64 °F. 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. 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. 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. [9], 20 December 1976: Heavy rain caused widespread flooding and landslides in Wellington City and Hutt Valley. As New Zealand observes daylight saving, during summer months daylight can last up until 9.30pm. We also use cookies to show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms. temperatures in °F, This page was last edited on 11 December 2020, at 21:37. New Zealand’s climate varies wildly. Weather conditions in New Zealand can change quickly - no matter when you visit, you should be prepared for anything! Late on 20 June, the storm pushed northeast to the North Island, bringing very strong winds until early 23 June. However, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures year-round. Climate change in Australia and New Zealand spells an increase in water resource problems in both in southern and eastern Australia and, in New Zealand, in Northland and some eastern regions. They are higher in northern, eastern and interior part of the country; Hastings is the warmest city on average with 25.5 Â°C followed by Gisborne with 24.9 Â°C and Napier with 24.5 Â°C. Over December, January and February, the number of visitors increases, as people arrive from overseas to travel while the weather is warm. New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern moves a motion in Parliament in Wellington to declare a climate emergency on Wednesday. Generally there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures. Daily maximum temperatures are normally in the mid to low 20s (°C) over most of the country. New Zealand joins 32 other countries including Japan, Canada, France and Britain that have declared a climate emergency. Joining more than 30 countries, New Zealand on Wednesday took the symbolic step of declaring a climate emergency. Summer is the most popular time to visit New Zealand. Most regions of New Zealand belong to the temperate zone with a maritime climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb) characterised by four distinct seasons. The Southern Alps, the North Island Volcanic Plateau and surrounding ranges can produce large variation in rainfalls in places barely tens of kilometres apart. Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy explain how we use your data and who our partners are. [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. A civil state of emergency was declared in Whanganui, Manawatu and Rangitikei. 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. New Zealand received 26 written questions from Parties in advance of the meeting and 8 oral questions. It is extremely rare at sea level in the North Island. See more current weather. 2 February 1936: The Cyclone of 1936 was the worst storm of the 20th century in New Zealand. The climate of New Zealand is varied due to the country's diverse landscape. An example of this is Auckland which has a variation of just 9 Â°C or 16 Â°F between the average mid-winter high temperature (14.7 Â°C or 58.5 Â°F) and average mid-summer high temperature (23.7 Â°C or 74.7 Â°F). Many rivers breached their banks, bridges were damaged and stock was swept away by floodwaters. Temperatures also drop about 0.7 Â°C or 1.3 Â°F for every 100 m of altitude. New Zealand has reliable air temperature records going back to the early 1900s. The mountain ranges running along the spine of the South Island divide the country into diverse climate regions. 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. From March to May the weather is still reasonably warm – particularly in the north – but the crowds have thinned out. See our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to understand how you can manage cookies. [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. More recently, Timaru reached 41.3 Â°C on Waitangi Day in 2011. About 500 Lower Hutt residents were evacuated because of floodwaters, and many commuters were unable to enter Wellington. The South Island is a bit cooler, with maximum temperatures around 7–12 Â°C (45–54 Â°F), though sometimes lower. New Zealand enjoys a moderate climate, without extremes of hot or cold. The New Zealand government will put forward a motion to declare a climate emergency next Wednesday; the government said as parliament … On 18 October, gusts of 183 km/h were recorded at Castlepoint. The Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited (MetService), established as a state-owned enterprise in 1992, issues weather forecasts and official weather warnings. Prime Minister Jacinda … However, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures year-round. 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]. 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. Scientific study of early New Zealand climate is quite recent and ongoing. Winter in New Zealand is the best time to visit if you’re enthusiastic about snow sports. In addition to above, we use other cookies and analytics to provide a better site experience. 6–10 March 1988: New Zealand is hit by a tropical cyclone once every eight to nine years. Temperatures are taken from seven climate stations throughout the country and combined into an … The government also launched a new initiative requiring many public agencies to become carbon neutral by 2025, in part by getting rid of coal boilers and buying electric cars. As autumn is also the shoulder season, you can enjoy better rates on accommodation and activities. It caused the ship Zuleika to run aground near Cape Palliser, with the loss of 12 lives, and severe flooding. Temperature variation throughout the day is also relatively small. temperatures in °C, Average max. Most places in New Zealand receive over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year – around 83 sunny days. 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. The event produced galeforce southerlies, with gusts of 230 km/h in the Tararua Range, and swells of 11m in Cook Strait. New Zealand's allies have privately expressed doubts about our dedication to reducing emissions, given our poor track record on climate, Marc Daalder reports. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared a "climate emergency" on Wednesday, telling parliament that urgent action was needed for the sake of future generations. SUMMARY Aotearoa/New Zealand’s 1 Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act was passed in 2019 with near- unanimous support. [9], 13–27 October 1998: Gale force northwesterlies blew throughout the lower North Island. Sources using the earliest reports of loss of life tend to greatly overstate the numbers who died.[7]. The climate of New Zealand is varied due to the country's diverse landscape. Scientists have just pieced together 150 years of New Zealand climate history, revealing cool spells driven by volcanic eruptions - and the growing handprint of climate change. [16][17] In 2014, New Zealand contributed 0.17% to the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. 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. 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. The centre-left leader said the … The storm is currently thought to have been an extratropical cyclone. Wellington: Joining more than 30 countries, New Zealand on Wednesday took the symbolic step of declaring a climate emergency. As well as producing areas of stunning native forest, the high rainfall makes New Zealand an ideal place for farming and horticulture. 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. Schools were cancelled during the shortest day (21 June), due to massive damage. Giselle led to the sinking of the interisland ferry TEV Wahine, and the loss of 53 lives.