Low 15-17th December

[NZstorm]

Just looked at the CH radar last 8hrs. That convergence zone certainly developed as expected.

[TonyT]

Went for a drive to Amberley to see if could catch any heavy showers, got some moderate to heavy rain from Kaiapoi to Amberley. Nothing here though, blue sky just to the SE. Doesnt look like will get anything as the rain band that formed was north of city and moving further north. Tony you might have got the 7.2mm since we are getting nothing this afternoon and you are getting some decent intesnity rain.

Total for the day now up to 13mm, thats as much as we've seen in the last 9 weeks, so very welcome. Rain clouds were definitely moving from the north earlier in the evening, now from the southwest and drying out.

[CHCH Weather Chaser]

Your winning now Tony! Steady rain falling in Christchurch between 8-9pm since eased off to a few periodic spots. Just an extra 0.4mm here taking todays tally to 7.6mm for the day.

[David]

Was the 27oC reached yesterday at all unusual for Auckland in mid-December?

Also, I see NW and N winds forecast for Fri/Sat respectively with temp forecasts in the low 20's. Would have thought higher temps in those air flows?

[Nev]

Was the 27oC reached yesterday at all unusual for Auckland in mid-December?

I think that in some parts of Henderson (and possibly the North Shore) it would probably be more unusual not to have recorded a T-max of at least 27°C in Dec, but yes, perhaps a little more unusual for most other parts of Auckland.

That 27°C on Tuesday would most likely have come from Akld Aero (actually 26.7°C), particularly as nearly all of about 15 'official-sites' the Greater Akld region recorded less. Mangere, just 5 km away, was probably the second-lowest (next to Henderson) with 23.9°C - a difference of nearly 3 degrees.

During its 46 year history, there have been at least 7 other Decembers (possibly eight) where Akld Aero has recorded 26.5°C or more - 4 of which were within the last 11 years.

Of the 'official-sites' around the region, only Penrose topped Akld Aero on Tuesday with 27.1°C (although it also apparently recorded 31.6°C on Dec 13 last year?). North Shore and Pakuranga probably came in third-equal with 26.3°C. I see Ricky (Grey Lynn) recorded 27.2°C, David with 26.6°C, while I managed 26.4°C.

[David]

Cheers Nev
I only have records since 1 Jan 2006 so am not too familiar with the extremes out this way. But, based on your posting, my temps seem to match up with other readings quite nicely