NZ weather summary July 1965

[Rwood]

July 1965:  July was unusually cold, especially in the North Island. It was also notable for the amount of snowfall. The severe winter weather caused a shortage of feed in parts of the North Island but stock remained in good condition.

Rainfall: Rainfall was mainly close to the average value. However, in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay, about the Southern Alps, and in coastal Otago it was only 3/4 of the average. On the other hand, in parts of Manawatu and coastal Canterbury it was more than 50% wetter than usual.

Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly 1F-2F below average. However, departures of 2F-4F were recorded in two areas, namely, Waikato with western Bay of Plenty, and southern Hawkes Bay with parts of Manawatu and central Hawkes Bay. For Te Aroha, Hastings, Palmerston North and Wellington it was the coldest month since 1939. The main snowfall was in the last 2-3 days of the month, when many parts of the North island high country were affected, as far north as Waitekauri, near Waihi. About the southern Ruahines falls of up to a foot were reported, with snow still falling at the beginning of August. In inland Canterbury and parts of Otago considerable snow was also reported from the 7th-11th. In parts of inland Canterbury snow was lying for nearly the whole month.

Sunshine: Sunshine was 15-30 hours below average in the North Island from Wanganui and Waipukurau southward, also in Northland and Central Otago. Elsewhere it was mainly close to average. However, the Auckland district and South Westland were favoured with a surplus of more than 20 hours.

[Some totals: Kaitaia 122, Kerikeri 125, Whangarei 135, Auckland 151, Tauranga 145, Whakatane 167, Taupo 116, Opotiki 150, Hamilton 121, New Plymouth 139, Masterton 86, Gisborne 149, Napier 139, Wairoa 141, Paraparaumu 115, Ohakea 104, Palmerston North 79, Levin 107, Wellington 79, Stratford 125, Ohakune 81, Wanganui 103, Westport 106, Hokitika 120, Greymouth 95, Haast 147, Riwaka 163, Nelson 164, Blenheim 162, Grassmere 138, Kaikoura 122, Mt Cook 85, Mt John 175, Methven 146, Christchurch 129, Tekapo 133, Timaru 138, Waimate 135, Dunedin Aero 91, Dunedin 96, Queenstown 69, Alexandra 84, Invercargill 84, Campbell Is 21, 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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[Rwood]

A chilly winter month, and pretty unpleasant in the cloudier zones.

[ato2]

And hopefully not to be repeated too soon. There is reference to 1939 in the summary. Was that the year that snow may have been recorded in the Far North?

[Rwood]

A chilly winter month, and pretty unpleasant in the cloudier zones.
And hopefully not to be repeated too soon. There is reference to 1939 in the summary. Was that the year that snow may have been recorded in the Far North?
[/quote]

Yes, July 1939 was the standout cold month with snow recorded as falling at Cape Reinga.

[ato2]

Good. Thanks for that, RWood.