New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Weather Discussion => Historical => 1960 - 1964 => Topic started by: Rwood on June 11, 2018, 09:38:15 PM
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August 1964: As in the previous month, barometers were very low over New Zealand; and again there was an unusually high frequency of northwesterly winds. As a result, it was cloudier and wetter than usual in western districts and sunnier and drier than usual in eastern districts. In the North Island farming conditions were fairly favourable, though the ground was too wet in some western areas. In Canterbury and parts of Otago the prolonged dry spell was causing a shortage of feed.
Rainfall: In eastern districts from Dunedin to Gisborne and about Cook Strait rainfall was less than half the average. In parts of South Canterbury and North Otago totals amounted to only about 1/10” and were the lowest for August in many years of records. Oamaru’s 0.12” was a record in nearly a century of observations. Elsewhere rainfall was mainly somewhat above average. As in July, thunderstorms were comparatively frequent in parts of the Auckland province, especially Northland. Quite a number were reported from the 4th to 7th and from the 12th to the 14th.
Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly close to average. However, they were more than 1F above average in the east from Christchurch to Gisborne and about Cook Strait. The main snowfalls on the high country were from the 11th to the 14th and the 26th to the 28th.
Sunshine: Sunshine was above average in eastern districts from Dunedin to Gisborne by up to 40 hours. Elsewhere it was below average, mainly by 20-40 hours.
[Some totals: Te Hapua 145, Kaitaia 141, Kerikeri 127, Whangarei 115, Auckland 124, Tauranga 147, Whakatane 177, Taupo 136, Opotiki 165, Hamilton 117, New Plymouth 132, Masterton 146, Gisborne 186, Napier 182, Wairoa 174, Paraparaumu 130, Ohakea 123, Palmerston Nth 115, Levin 109, Wellington 155, Stratford 155, Ohakune 88, Wanganui 135, Westport 96, Hokitika 102, Greymouth 83, Haast 117, Nelson 168, Blenheim 185, Grassmere 155, Kaikoura 190, Mt Cook 95, Mt John 161, Methven 179, Christchurch 170, Tekapo 164, Timaru 149, Waimate 153, Dunedin Aero 134, Dunedin 115, Queenstown 103, Alexandra 162, Invercargill 89, Campbell Is 26, Chatham Is 117].
Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations) - additional comments by the poster.