Auckland hottest in topsy-turvy year

Auckland had a warm 2014. Photo / NZME.

Auckland was the warmest of the country's six main centres last year.

The city earned its crown in a year marked by back-to-front weather, extensive flooding, extreme winds and an unseasonable snowfall, Niwa said in its annual climate summary for 2014.

The back-to-front weather began with a cooler than normal January in which several areas recorded half as much rain as normal.

Most of the country went on to have an unusually warm April and an exceptionally warm start to winter, Niwa said.

June was the country's equal-warmest since records began in 1909, with several locations observing at least their fourth-warmest June on record.

The central North Island received well above normal sunshine hours and many of the nation's favourite skifields were forced to delay their openings due to the warmer than average temperatures.

Out-of-kilter weather occurred again in November when Hanmer Springs residents woke to find an unseasonable settling of snow in the township.

Canterbury experienced many other extremes. In February, two tornadoes ripped off roofs, smashed windows, felled trees and brought down power lines.

In early March, heavy rain caused considerable flooding, slips and road closures throughout Christchurch and surrounding areas. Schools were closed and more than 100 homes were inundated with water.

Flooding struck Canterbury again in June, forcing more school and road closures and the evacuation of a North Canterbury rest home, with 21 residents.

Northland had its turn in July when heavy rain caused considerable surface flooding and road closures.

Strong winds also made their mark in 2014, making it the fourth windiest year in the 49 years, Niwa said.

In March, winds associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ita struck large parts of the country. Seven thousand Auckland customers, 3,000 Northland customers and 1,400 Bay of Plenty households lost power.

It affected the country again in April, causing around 17,000 Auckland properties, 9,300 Manawatu properties and 1,000 Waikato customers to lose power.

Roofs were lifted in Westport and Greymouth, several West Coast roads were closed and a number of vehicles, including several buses, were blown over.

Whakatane was the sunniest spot with 2711 sunshine hours. Clyde scored the highest temperature, 35.7°C on February 20. The lowest temperature was -9.8°C at Lake Tekapo on July 17. The driest location was Alexandra with 305mm annual rain.

Weekend outlook

Whangarei
Mostly fine with light winds both days. Could be odd showers.
Highs 26°C.

Auckland
Mostly fine with light winds today. Could be odd showers. Southwesterlies developing tomorrow.
Highs 24°C today, 25°C tomorrow.

Hamilton
Odd shower. Light winds but essentially fine.
Highs 26°C today, 25°C tomorrow.

Tauranga
Fine most of the weekend with the odd patch of cloud and light winds.
Highs 26°C.

Wellington
Fine today with a fresh northerly. Northerly eases tomorrow.
Highs 22°C.