July 1964: Pressures were very low over New Zealand in July, and there was a high frequency of northwesterly winds. It was an exceptionally cloudy and mild month, and also wetter than usual in most districts. Lack of cold spells meant many farmers considered it to be a good winter month. However, in western districts of the North Island and in Nelson it was too wet and there was too little sunshine. Strong gales caused some damage in Central and West Otago on the 4th.
Rainfall: Rainfall was above average by about 50% over the greater part of the country. In Waitomo, Taumarunui, and Taupo and also in Manawatu it was more than double the average. In Southland and in most eastern districts rainfall was somewhat below average. In Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay it was less than half. During the passage of a small depression across the North Island on the 7th daily falls of up to 5” were recorded in Bay of Plenty, with some flooding. Thunderstorms were unusually frequent in the Auckland province, especially from the 9th to 26th. At Umawera (Hokianga Harbour) thunder was heard every day from the 14th to the 23rd. Thunderstorms were particularly widespread and severe over Northland and Auckland on the 17th, disrupting power supplies and causing some flooding.
Temperatures: Temperatures were above normal over the whole country, mainly by 2F-3F. In the North Island this was the mildest July since 1949; in the South Island it was not quite as mild as July 1962. [As of 2009 there have been 9 milder Julys for the country, and several more matching it]. The main snowfalls on the ranges occurred from the 8th-10th and between the 16th and 26th; and on the 27th snow fell to low levels in Southland and Otago.
Sunshine: Over the greater part of the country sunshine was below average by 30-70 hours, greatest deficiencies being recorded in Westland and Nelson and around Rotorua. The totals at Palmerston North, Nelson and Hokitika were the lowest on record for any month of the year [all since surpassed]. In Northland, Hawkes Bay, Canterbury, Southland and most of Otago sunshine was only 15-25 hours below normal; and Gisborne was favoured with the average value.
[Some totals: Te Hapua 137, Kaitaia 130, Kerikeri 122, Whangarei 115, Auckland 91, Tauranga 91, Whakatane 99, Taupo 76, Opotiki 92, Hamilton 77, New Plymouth 85, Masterton 73, Gisborne 134, Napier 123, Wairoa 125, Paraparaumu 70, Ohakea 68, Palmerston Nth 54, Levin 59, Wellington 74, Stratford 73, Ohakune 36{suspect}, Wanganui 68, Westport 66, Hokitika 62, Greymouth 63, Haast 70, Nelson 91, Blenheim 121, Grassmere 107, Kaikoura 113, Mt Cook 49, Mt John 100, Methven 110, Christchurch 101, Tekapo 80, Timaru 90, Waimate 94, Dunedin Aero 75, Dunedin 76, Queenstown 57, Alexandra 93, Invercargill 73, Raoul Is 164, Campbell Is 5, Chatham Is 59].
Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations) - additional comments by the poster.
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June 06, 2018, 03:11:53 PM