November 1968: As in October, winds from a westerly quarter were unusually frequent and strong. It was a cool month, but for the most part very sunny and dry in eastern districts. Feed was short in parts of Canterbury. Particularly strong and persistent westerlies were reported from the 15th to the 25th. A cold front, which crossed the country on the 26th, brought widespread thunderstorms to the North Island.

The spring as a whole has been the windiest on record for at least 30 years over a large part of the country, especially most eastern districts from Gisborne to South Canterbury, but including also Manawatu and parts of Nelson and Marlborough. In addition it was the coldest spring for over 30 years at the Hermitage and Queenstown; and the wettest spring on record in the Alps, as shown by the rainfall at Otira (97.86”) and the Hermitage (72.49”).

[Major compensation for eastern areas was the very high spring sunshine totals. Mt Cook rainfall record was easily passed in 1988, and Arthur’s Pass had its highest spring value in 2006 (Otira records have ceased)].

Rainfall: Rainfall was less than half the average in most eastern areas from Gisborne to the Kaikoura Coast and parts of North Canterbury. It was somewhat below average over the remainder of the North Island, except for Northland and Taranaki. It was also somewhat below in the South Island east of the main ranges, except in parts of Canterbury, Central Otago and Southland. Greatest surpluses were recorded in northwest Nelson and inland Buller, also in parts of the Southern Lakes district. In these areas rainfall was more than 50% above average.
   
Temperatures: Temperatures were below average, except in the east of the South Island, where they were close to average or slightly above. Greatest departures below average of 2F-3F were reported in Taupo and in the Southern Alps and the Southern Lakes district.

Sunshine: East of the main ranges as far south as Waitaki and also in Bay of Plenty and Taupo and in Nelson sunshine was 30-75 hours above average. Blenheim’s 307 hours was its highest on record [327 recorded in 1997], and the highest November value recorded in the country since 1945 (311 at Gisborne). Napier’s total of 294 was a record for November there. Elsewhere sunshine was close to average.

[Some totals:  Kaitaia 184, Kerikeri 194, Whangarei 188, Auckland 201, Tauranga 255, Whakatane 267, Taupo 253, Opotiki 233, Hamilton 215, New Plymouth 207, Masterton 271, Martinborough 283, Gisborne 272, Napier 294, Wairoa 273, Paraparaumu 237, Ohakea 238, Palmerston North 185, Levin 209, Wellington 249, Stratford 216, Ohakune 200, Wanganui 232, Westport 182, Hokitika 170, Greymouth 154, Haast 162, Riwaka 288, Nelson 265, Blenheim 307, Grassmere 265, Kaikoura 279, Mt Cook 152, Mt John 264, Methven 264, Christchurch 265, Tekapo 269, Timaru 248, Waimate 218, Omarama 240, Dunedin Aero 184, Dunedin 182, Oamaru 195, Queenstown 208, Alexandra 213, Invercargill 172, Campbell Is 98, Chatham Is 150.]

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

An El Nino spring? Looks like the spring some experts think we might get this coming season.