NZ weather summary May 1965

[Rwood]

May 1965:  Like April, somewhat drier than usual. Generally it was regarded by farmers as a very favourable month. Conditions were still too dry in Marlborough.

Rainfall: Rainfall was mainly only 3/4 of the average value.  In Hawkes Bay, northern Manawatu, and considerable areas of Marlborough and Canterbury it was less than half. On the other hand, Otago and Southland received 50% above average rainfall; and parts of Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Westland also received somewhat more than average.

Temperatures: Temperatures were close to average, except in parts of the South Island, where they were 1F below average. The coolest weather occurred in the first 11 days, with southerly and southwesterly winds. Snow was reported from the 2nd to the 4th on the Kaikouras and North Island ranges. For the remainder of the month temperatures were milder than average, though snow was reported on the ranges in Central Otago on the 21st.

Sunshine: Sunshine was close to average over the greater part of the country. However, it was 20-40 hours above average over most of Hawkes Bay and South Canterbury and also in the Bay of Islands.

[Some totals: Kaitaia 143, Kerikeri 156, Whangarei 136, Auckland 138, Tauranga 166, Whakatane 176, Taupo 137, Opotiki 158, Hamilton 127, New Plymouth 132, Masterton 107, Gisborne 154, Napier 177, Wairoa 162, Paraparaumu 112, Ohakea 130, Palmerston North 109, Levin 108, Wellington 108, Stratford 131, Ohakune 106, Wanganui 123, Westport 120, Hokitika 113, Greymouth 91, Haast 144, Riwaka 183, Nelson 180, Blenheim 174, Grassmere 148, Kaikoura 109, Mt Cook 99, Mt John 176, Methven 159, Christchurch 124, Tekapo 149, Timaru 158, Waimate 149, Dunedin Aero 119, Dunedin 109, Queenstown 95, Alexandra 137, Invercargill 84, Campbell Is 14, Chatham Is 101].

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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