Castlepoint lighthouse. PHOTO/FILE
Castlepoint has recorded its highest September wind gust since records began.
Niwa said in a climate summary for September that Castlepoint had recorded a 178kmh gust.
This wasn’t the highest wind gust in New Zealand during September. However, Cape Turnagain, in Hawke’s Bay, took the crown with 222kmh gusts being recorded on, September 10.
Last month also brought us several frontal systems causing heavy rainfall.
In the North Island, periods of southeasterly winds brought sporadic and heavy rain to parts of Wairarapa as well as Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.
“This led to near average or above average rainfall for these areas. However, Napier, Whakatu, Hastings, and Cape Turnagain all had 21 or more dry days during September, highlighting the swings that are typical of spring in New Zealand.”
Wairarapa had an average month, not exceeding any records aside from that of wind at Castlepoint.
Niwa said a lack of strong global climate drivers during September resulted in a patchwork of rainfall and temperature patterns across New Zealand.
“Conditions in the equatorial Pacific were neutral, although Niwa remained at La Nina Watch as ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific continued to cool.”
It said most of New Zealand experienced a mild month, with near average with the range of plus or minus 0.5 degrees Celsius for most of the country, Wairarapa included.
There were no near-record mean air temperatures for September recorded at any sites in New Zealand.
