New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Weather Discussion => Historical => 1960 - 1964 => Topic started by: Rwood on June 06, 2018, 03:11:53 PM
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May 1964: Conditions were close to average, apart from being drier than usual over the North Island. Farmers in most parts of the country found conditions satisfactory, but eastern districts of the North Island were still being affected by a long dry spell, with winter feed shortages. Small local whirlwinds caused some damage at Westport on the 13th and at Wanganui on the 19th.
Rainfall: In the North Island rainfall was mainly about 3/4 of average; in parts of Hawkes Bay and eastern Northland it was less than 1/2. In Auckland and Waikato rainfall was close to or a little above average.
It was wetter than usual in the Alps, the Canterbury high country, and most of the Plains. Greatest departures were reported from the high country, with more than double the average value. Elsewhere in the South Island rainfall was mainly close to normal; however it was appreciably less than normal in coastal Otago, on Banks Peninsula, and on the Kaikoura Coast.
Temperatures: Temperatures were close to or somewhat below average. The only area which was colder than normal by as much as 1F-2F extended from Coromandel and western bay of Plenty through Waikato to central districts of the North Island. Snow was reported in the South Island high country and to low levels in parts of Southland from the 14th-16th. A more general cold spell occurred from the 18th-20th with snow in the high country of both islands.
Sunshine: Sunshine was mainly close to the average value. However it was below average in Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and most of Otago by 10-25 hours, and above average in Northland by 15-30 hours.
[Some totals: Te Hapua 166, Kaitaia 170, Kerikeri 157, Whangarei 134, Auckland 136, Tauranga 134, Whakatane 151, Taupo 141, Opotiki 145, Hamilton 121, New Plymouth 132, Masterton 119, Gisborne 114, Napier 149, Wairoa 131, Paraparaumu 139, Ohakea 143, Palmerston Nth 125, Levin 135, Wellington 124, Stratford 136, Ohakune 111, Wanganui 119, Westport 122, Hokitika 114, Greymouth 101, Haast 105, Nelson 156, Blenheim 165, Grassmere 141, Kaikoura 154, Mt Cook 79, Methven 151, Christchurch 133, Tekapo 142, Timaru 141, Waimate 124, Dunedin Aero 120, Dunedin 100, Queenstown 76, Alexandra 109, Invercargill 93, Campbell Is 8, Chatham Is 106].
Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations) - additional comments by the poster.