February 1956:  A warm and rather cloudy month. The rather low rainfall over most of the South Island was not enough to give much relief to Canterbury and Otago, where farmers were concerned about feed prospects for winter. On the 6th a local whirlwind uprooted several large trees near Rakaia, and hailstones as large as golf balls caused some damage in part of Christchurch. A strong northwesterly gale buffeted the Invercargill-Bluff area on the 13th.

Rainfall: Rainfall was more than 25% below normal over almost the whole of the South Island, also in southern districts of the Wellington province and in parts of the Auckland province. Most inland areas of the South Island received less than half their usual rainfall, and Central Otago received less than 1/4. Rainfall was significantly above average in coastal Southland and parts of Northland.

Temperatures: Temperatures were above normal over the whole country, mainly by 1F-2F. Highest departures of more than 2F were recorded on the west coast of both islands and in the Rotorua-Taupo district. Temperatures were mainly 2F-4F lower than in January, so that by comparison, February appeared to be rather cool.

Sunshine: Sunshine was below normal over the North Island and also in Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury. Departures were mainly 20-40 hours. Westland was sunnier than usual, by about 40 hours.

 [Some totals: Te Hapua 188, Kaitaia 196, Kerikeri 170, Whangarei 162, Auckland 190, Tauranga 184, Taupo 184, Hamilton 188, New Plymouth 171, Masterton 175, Gisborne 209, Napier 186, Paraparaumu 158, Ohakea 178, Palmerston Nth 156, Levin 157, Wellington 154, Wanganui 182, Westport 189, Hokitika 214, Greymouth 196, Haast 211, Nelson 214, Blenheim 211, Grassmere 186, Mt Cook 189, Methven 181, Christchurch 173, Tekapo 238, Timaru 166, Waimate 152, Omarama 190, Dunedin 182, Queenstown 245, Alexandra 203, Invercargill 168, Campbell Is 84].

Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations) - additional comments by the poster.