October 2007 in New Zealand....

[J07]

http://www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/cs/monthly/mclimsum_07_10

• Wind: Much more wind than normal, with frequent gales from the westerly sector
  
• Temperature: Well below average in the South Island and parts of the North Island, above average in Hawke’s Bay and parts of the north
  
• Rainfall: Above normal in many regions, especially in the South Island.
  
• Sunshine: Near or above normal in most regions
  

October 2007 was rather stormy and generally cold with deep depressions tracking south of New Zealand and frequent westerly gales. This was the equal 4th windiest October overall in regard to westerlies in measurements that commenced in 1966. Wind gusts over 130 km/h were recorded on 13 days (42%) in the month. In fact, many stations had at least 7 more days with strong winds (with gusts to 60 km/h or more) than is average for the time of year.

Temperatures were below average throughout much of the South Island, and the southern North Island. In contrast average or above average temperatures occurred in the north and east of the North Island. The national average temperature of 11.7 ºC was 0.5 °C below average.

Rainfall was almost 200 percent (twice) of normal in parts of north Westland, at Hanmer Forest, and inland parts of north Canterbury, and above normal in many other regions, especially in the South Island. Only in the Far North was rainfall about 50 percent (half) of normal. This produced soil moisture surpluses in Fiordland, Gisborne, and Wairarapa. Significant soil moisture deficits (more than 110 mm) occurred toward the end of the month in parts of Marlborough and Central Otago (normal for the time of year).

The month was much sunnier than usual in Northland, Gisborne, north Canterbury, Otago, and Southland

I find it worth contrasting with April 2007 in the UK.....obviously quite different! Our April was, of course, warm, dry and sunny....NZ's October was anything but! (Though sunshine hours were average or above average).

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/2007/april.html

Comparing:

Max Temp: UK April = 26.5C, NZ Oct = 27.2C

Min Temp: UK April = -3.7C*, NZ Oct = -6.2C

Mean Temp: UK April = 10.2C (3.5C above normal), NZ Oct = 11.7C (0.5C below normal).

I find this surprising....a cool NZ is still significantly warmer than a record breaking UK?

*The lowest mentioned on the Meto's site, but I don't know if it was the absolute minimum actually recorded.

[Willo]

Why suprising? Just compare centre points' latitude and you'll see why...

Nelson is at -41.1 S

Lancashire is at 54 N

Heck, even the most northern/southern points are worlds apart,

North Cape, -34.4 S

Cornwall, 50 N

Edited November 11, 2007 by Willo