January 1970: January was a warm month. In the North Island it was sunny and dry, leading to feed shortages in many areas. Over most of the South Island it was cloudier and wetter than usual, with the additional rain appreciated by farmers. The drought affecting North Otago and South Canterbury for several months, and later also other parts of Canterbury, was now considered to be broken.
Rainfall: Rainfall was less than half the average value west of the main North Island ranges and north of Taupo; also in central Hawkes Bay and parts of Wairarapa, Nelson and Marlborough. Greatest deficiencies were recorded in the Waikato, in northern Northland, and in parts of Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa, with most totals below 0.5”. In parts of the Waikato it was the driest January for many years. Rainfall was above average in the South Island southwest of a line from Karamea to Ashburton; and in northern Hawkes Bay and parts of Gisborne. The catchment of the Taieri River with coastal North Otago had more than double the average value. As in December, there was considerable thunderstorm activity over the North Island, affecting the drier northern districts and bringing relief at times to a few areas. Some heavy downpours included one of 3.65” in 2 hours at Kingseat, south of Auckland, on the 1st.
Some totals: Franz Josef 685mm, Musselburgh 138mm; Cape Reinga 8mm, Tauranga 19mm, Grassmere 13mm.
Temperatures: Temperatures were warmer than average over the whole country, mainly by about 3F. Highest departures, exceeding 4F, were recorded in western and northern areas of both islands besides Rotorua, Taupo and Taihape. In the North Island temperatures were similar to those in January 1938 and January 1956, but a little below those in January 1935. This was the 3rd month of a warm spell, the last such for these 3 months being from November 1961 to January 1962.
Sunshine: Sunshine was above average over the North Island and in Nelson and Marlborough, mainly by 30-60 hours. Highest departures were recorded in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Waitomo. By contrast, over nearly all of the remainder of the South Island sunshine was below average, with a deficiency of 60-70 hours in Southland and parts of coastal Otago and South Canterbury. The totals of 114 hours at Dunedin, 124 hours at Invercargill and 129 hours at Timaru were record low values for January. (Timaru had only 117 hrs in January 2000).
[Some totals: Kaitaia 276, Kerikeri 273, Whangarei 221, Leigh 262, Auckland 297, Tauranga 317, Whakatane 289, Taupo 278, Opotiki 276, Auckland Aero 306, Hamilton 285, New Plymouth 290, Masterton 266, Gisborne 270, Napier 263, Wairoa 237, Paraparaumu 244, Ohakea 266, Kairanga 251, Palmerston North 223, Levin 241, Wellington 262, Stratford 278, Ohakune 248, Wanganui 257, Takaka 286, Westport 227, Hokitika 199, Greymouth 208, Haast 169, Riwaka 301, Nelson 291, Blenheim 281, Grassmere 247, Kaikoura 213, Mt Cook 175, Mt John 242, Methven 181, Christchurch 180, Tekapo 243, Timaru 129, Waimate 131, Omarama 224, Palmerston 135, Dunedin Aero 120, Dunedin 114, Oamaru 142, Queenstown 233, Alexandra 218, Invercargill 124, Campbell Is 69, Chatham Is 161]
Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations).