April 1963:  A cool month, mainly on account of the unusually high frequency of southerly to easterly winds. It was also sunny in most districts; and rather dry, except in Canterbury. Dairy production suffered from dry weather, particularly in the Auckland province.

Rainfall: Rainfall was mainly about half the average value. In Nelson province and parts of Marlborough Sounds and Bay of Plenty it was less than a quarter. All of Canterbury, together with the Kaikoura Coast and North Otago, received more rain than average. In South Canterbury and parts of inland Canterbury totals were from 200% to 350% of average. Throughout Canterbury about 3/4 of the rain fell on 18-20 April. In South Canterbury, where one station reported 7.5” on the 19th alone, some flooding was reported.

Temperatures: Temperatures were below average over the whole country, mainly by 1F-2F. In Central Otago departures amounted to 3F, largely owing to an unusually high frequency of frosts for April, especially in the last 10 days.
The warmest period over most of the country was a week of westerly weather, from the 7th to the 13th. Snow fell in parts of the South Island high country and on the ranges of both islands on the 18th.

Sunshine: Most of the country was favoured with above-average sunshine. The surplus mainly amounted to 20-30 hours, but was somewhat greater in Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Central Otago and Gisborne and Hawkes Bay received only about average sunshine.

[Some totals: Te Hapua 193, Kaitaia 209, Kerikeri 175, Whangarei 162, Auckland 183, Tauranga 208, Whakatane 214, Taupo 181, Opotiki 194, Hamilton 186, New Plymouth 197, Masterton 165, Gisborne 158, Napier 162, Wairoa 154, Paraparaumu 202, Ohakea 181, Palmerston Nth 163, Levin 188, Wellington 178, Stratford 197, Ohakune 167, Wanganui 182, Westport 169, Hokitika 159, Greymouth 153, Haast 184, Nelson 224, Blenheim 211, Grassmere 218, Kaikoura 190, Mt Cook 138, Methven 169, Christchurch 155, Tekapo 187, Timaru 156, Waimate 148, Oamaru Aero 157, Omarama 181, Dunedin Aero 129, Dunedin 134, Queenstown 127, Alexandra 158, Invercargill 120, Campbell Is 63 {2nd highest on record}, Chatham Is 94].


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