January 1971: Barometric pressures were high to the south of New Zealand in January, and easterly to northeasterly winds were unusually frequent, bringing excessive cloud to eastern districts, with very warm conditions in western areas.  From the 3rd-8th cyclone Rosie brought several inches of rain to the greater part of the country, relieving the prevailing very dry conditions. For the remainder of the month there were only light falls of rain, and conditions became dry again. They were worst in areas least affected by Rosie, especially parts of Northland, Southland and Otago.

Rainfall: Rainfall was above normal over the greater part of the North Island and in Marlborough with most of Nelson and North Canterbury. It was more than double the normal value in parts of Manawatu, Wairarapa and Marlborough. Rainfall was less than half the normal value over the Canterbury high country and the Alps, South Westland, and parts of Fiordland and Central Otago. The total of 2.35” at the Hermitage, Mt Cook was the lowest January rainfall there in 50 years of record. An exceptional downpour of 7” in 7 hours at Tariki, north of Stratford, on the 5th, resulted in local flooding.

Some totals: Napier 125mm, Stratford 264mm; Cape Reinga 20mm, Mt Cook 60mm, Tekapo 17mm, Cromwell 15mm.

Temperatures:  Temperatures were 3.0C-3.5C above normal in western districts but only about normal in eastern districts. Western areas were in fact warmer than eastern areas in the same latitude, which is quite unusual in summer.

35.6C maximum at Jordan on the 26th.

Sunshine:  Sunshine was below normal except in northern districts of the North Island and parts of Otago and Southland, where it was close to normal. Greatest departures of 60-90 hours were recorded in eastern districts of both islands and also in Taupo. The totals of 159 hours at Napier and 165 hours at Blenheim (*) were the lowest for January for at least 45 years.

[Some totals:  Kaitaia 231, Kerikeri 220, Whangarei 216, Leigh 187, Auckland 220, Tauranga 234, Whakatane 205, Taupo 165, Opotiki 189, Auckland Aero 213, Hamilton 195, New Plymouth 200, Masterton 169, Gisborne 180, Napier 159, Wairoa 179, Paraparaumu 200, Ohakea 220, Kairanga 231, Palmerston North 194, Levin 197, Wellington 186, Stratford 188, Ohakune 175, Wanganui 203, Takaka 177, Westport 178, Hokitika 154, Greymouth 186, Haast 160, Riwaka 202, Nelson 194, Blenheim 165, Grassmere 176, Kaikoura 153, Mt Cook 134, Mt John 205, Methven 160, Christchurch 147, Tekapo 201, Timaru 146, Waimate 132, Omarama 181, Palmerston 169, Dunedin Aero 173, Dunedin 165, Oamaru 157, Queenstown 204, Alexandra 209, Invercargill 204,  Campbell Is 91, Chatham Is 86 {record low}]

(*): See following post

Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations).

I remember a downpour at Tariki- a friend got caught out in, riding an old motor bike which gave up the ghost!