New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Weather Discussion => Historical => 1955 - 1959 => Topic started by: Rwood on May 03, 2018, 11:34:42 AM
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March 1957: It was warm and humid, and also rather wet. Growth was good and stock benefited, but facial eczema was a risk in the Auckland and Hawkes Bay provinces. In the early morning of the 20th a small tornado caused considerable damage in New Plymouth. No fewer than 5 were reported during the month, with 3 of them on the 20th. A northeasterly gale caused some damage on the 19th.
Rainfall: Rainfall was above normal over the greater part of the country. It was double the usual value in eastern and inland districts from Dunedin to Cape Campbell, and also in parts of the Auckland province. Central Hawkes Bay, Westland and the Southland coast received less rain than usual. Severe thunderstorms affected Canterbury and the Wairarapa on the 7th. On the 18th, thunderstorms were widespread from Auckland to Westland and Canterbury. Flooding was reported in the Bay of Islands-Whangarei area on the 8th, and in parts of Otago and Canterbury on the 20th.
Temperatures: As in the previous month, temperatures were above average over the whole country, mainly by about 3F. Departures were greatest in central districts.
Sunshine: Sunshine was below normal over the South Island and also over eastern districts of the North Island, mainly by about 30 hours. Western areas of the North Island had somewhat more sunshine than usual.
[Some totals: Te Hapua 224, Kaitaia 205, Kerikeri 201, Whangarei 186, Auckland 195, Tauranga 181, Whakatane 188, Taupo 177, Hamilton 175, New Plymouth 220, Masterton 188, Gisborne 165, Napier 191, Paraparaumu 206, Ohakea 208, Palmerston Nth 202, Levin 205, Wellington 203, Wanganui 204, Westport 163, Hokitika 144, Greymouth 156, Haast 131, Nelson 192, Blenheim 200, Grassmere 203, Mt Cook 119, Methven 161, Christchurch 161, Tekapo 147, Timaru 127 Waimate 112, Omarama 123, Dunedin 120, Queenstown 138, Alexandra 146, Invercargill 110, Campbell Is 48, Chatham Is 92].
Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations) - additional comments by the poster.