Climate - Days with wind gusts greater than gale force (annual) 1975–2014

The accuracy of the data source is of medium quality. Data is available for 30 climate stations; however there are many years of missing data for some sites over the 1975–2014 series. Even one or two days of missing data can mean that a whole month, and therefore a year, must be discarded.

The dataset contains 31 locations - Auckland Aero, Blenheim Aero Aws, Christchurch Aero, Dannevirke Ews, Dunedin Musselburgh Ews, Gisborne Aws, Gore Aws, Hamilton Aws, Hokitika Aws, Invercargill Aero Aws, Kerikeri Aerodrome Aws, Lake Tekapo Ews, Masterton Te Ore Ore Cws,Milford Sound Aws, Napier Aero Aws, Nelson Aws, New Plymouth Aws, Queenstown Aero Aws, Reefton Ews, Rotorua Aero Aws, Tara Hills Aws, Taumarunui Aws, Taupo Aws,Tauranga Aero Aws, Timaru Aero Aws, Waiouru Airstrip Aws, Wanganui Spriggens Park Ews, Wellington Kelburn, Wellington Kelburn Aws, Whangaparaoa Aws, Whangarei Aero Aws.

Wellington data is provided from two Kelburn stations – Wellington, Kelburn: Agent Number 3385, Network Number E14272, Latitude (dec.deg) -41.286, Longitude (dec.deg) 174.767, Height (m) 125.Wellington, Kelburn Aws: Agent Number 25354, Network Number E1427P, Latitude (dec.deg) -41.285, Longitude (dec.deg) 174.768, Height (m) 125.

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This case study measures the number of days a year where wind gusts exceed gale force (33 knots, 61 km/hr, 17 m/s), as measured by weather stations around New Zealand. Wind gusts that exceed gale force may not always cause damage, but they are a useful gauge of the potential for damaging wind events.