New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Weather Discussion => Historical => 1975 - 1979 => Topic started by: Rwood on February 15, 2012, 06:41:49 AM
-
June 1977: During June pressures were near normal over New Zealand but higher to the north and south of the country. There was a greater frequency of easterly winds, and two spells of cold southerlies from the 3rd-9th and 20th-22nd. Conditions were cloudier and wetter than average over the major part of the country with the exception of some areas in Central Otago and Southland. On the 28th, winds gusting to probably more than 100 knots caused major damage to ski huts on Mt Ruapehu.
Rainfall: Rainfall was above normal over most of the country, the only areas below normal being parts of Westland, most of Otago, and Southland. Many areas in both islands were above normal by more than 50%, and in Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay and parts of central Canterbury more than 150% above. Some areas of Central Otago and Southland recorded less than 50% of their normal. A severe thunderstorm early on the 4th brought heavy rain to the Wellington area. Almost 47mmm fell at Kelburn in less than 4½ hours. On the 20th-21st, heavy rain around Gisborne caused widespread flooding and slips and many homes were evacuated. A fall of 156mm was recorded in Gisborne in 24 hours, the highest for June since 1894 and the highest in any month since 1910. 218mm fell from 9am on the 20th to 9am on the 22nd. During this period heavy falls were also recorded in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, with many places affected by flooding and slips. On the 26th-28th, gales and heavy rain in both islands caused flooding and damage in many areas. During this time heavy falls of snow were reported in the South Canterbury back country, with rivers running high and widespread flooding. On the 29th large hailstones at Pahiatua damaged crops and property.
Some monthly totals (mm): Kaitaia 257, Albert Park 200, Waihi 413, New Plymouth 309, Gisborne 328, Wairoa 222, Kelburn 207, Stratford Mountain House 706, Milford 529, Ashburton 109, Tekapo 151; Wanaka 19, Alexandra 15, Balclutha 32.
Temperatures: Temperatures were above normal over most of the North Island, Nelson, Marlborough, North Canterbury and Westland. They were slightly below in Northland, Poverty bay, Hawkes Bay, the rest of Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Maximum temperatures were near normal in the North Island but below by 0.5C in the South Island. Minimum temperatures were above average over most of the country, in some areas by about 1C. There were 2 cold spells during the month, the 5th-9th and 18th-21st, when temperatures were below normal over most of the country.
20.0C maximum at Whangarei on the 28th, -8.9C minimum at Twizel on the 25th.
Sunshine: Sunshine was below normal over most of the country, with some areas in Hawkes Bay, Waikato and the West Coast below by as much as 40 hours. Stations at Greymouth and Westport recorded their lowest June sunshine on record. The only areas with above normal sunshine hours were parts of Northland, Otago and Southland.
[Some totals: Kaitaia 127, Dargaville 119, Whangarei 126, Auckland 103, Tauranga 124, Whakatane 120, Rotorua 109, Taupo 91, Hamilton 99, Taumarunui 66, New Plymouth 89, Masterton 88, Dannevirke 76, Gisborne 112, Napier 98, Paraparaumu 85, Palmerston North 75, Levin 81, Wellington 92, Stratford 82, Wanganui 87, Westport 68, Hokitika 80, Greymouth 57, Riwaka 115, Nelson 113, Blenheim 115, Grassmere 113, Kaikoura 97, Mt Cook 44, Mt John 111, Methven 95, Christchurch 96, Tekapo 80, Timaru 78, Oamaru Aero 87, Omarama 91, Palmerston 78, Dunedin 77, Te Anau 63, Queenstown 75, Alexandra 71, Invercargill 83, Campbell Is 3.6, Chatham Is 83 (4th highest)].
Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations).