February 1959: Drier than usual over most of the country. Stock feed was getting scarce in Nelson and Marlborough. A southerly storm from the 21st-23rd brought unusually cold temperatures for the time of year and considerable snow on the ranges of both islands. Gale force winds caused some damage in the Wellington and Taranaki provinces.

Rainfall: Rainfall was somewhat below average in the South Island (except Southland, South Otago and mid-Canterbury), also in the Gisborne district, King Country and about Auckland city. In Marlborough and Nelson totals were less than 1/4 of average; Nelson city had its lowest February rainfall since 1939. The only considerable area with totals well above average consisted of northern Wairarapa, southern Hawkes Bay and the Wanganui-Rangitikei district, where in some parts rainfall was double the normal. More than 3/4 of this fell between the 20th and 23rd; in Hawkes Bay very little fell outside the 22nd-23rd.

Temperatures: Temperatures were above average mainly by about 1F. Frosts were recorded in many inland districts of the South Island on the 23rd. At Naseby, the air temperature dropped to 25F, the lowest ever recorded in New Zealand in February.

Sunshine: Sunshine was above average over most of the South Island and in western districts of the North Island. The surplus was 30 hours on the West Coast, and Westport’s total of 224 hours was one of the highest readings in the country. It was somewhat cloudier than usual in eastern districts of the North Island and in Marlborough.

[Some totals: Te Hapua 211, Kaitaia 214, Kerikeri 190, Whangarei 173, Auckland 207, Tauranga 227, Whakatane 229, Taupo 206, Hamilton 214, New Plymouth 232, Masterton 170, Gisborne 194, Napier 199, Wairoa 201, Paraparaumu 221, Ohakea 221, Palmerston Nth 195, Levin 197, Wellington 210, Wanganui 211, Westport 224, Hokitika 206, Greymouth 209, Haast 183, Nelson 239, Blenheim 208, Grassmere 197, Mt Cook 160, Methven 191, Christchurch 204, Tekapo 234, Timaru 183, Waimate 163, Omarama 194, Dunedin 180, Queenstown 213, Alexandra 200, Invercargill 171, Campbell Is 93, Chatham Is 152].


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

Yes, dropped the anomaly to a small positive only.