June 1979:   Pressures were exceptionally high over most of New Zealand during June. In southern parts of the North Island, and the north of the South Island they were more than 10 millibars above normal. Winds were predominantly northeast in the north, and northwest in the south of the country. Conditions were mainly dry and warm throughout most of the country during the month. On the 2nd a tornado passed through Kaitaia during the morning. Some houses had roofs blown off, and there was extensive damage to sheds, barns, and trees in the area.

Rainfall: The only areas with above normal rainfall were in Northland, Auckland, and parts of Bay of Plenty, Poverty Bay, Nelson and Marlborough. In Northland more than double the normal June rainfall was recorded, and in Auckland more than 70% above. On the 12th heavy rain in Northland closed many roads through landslips and flooding. At Kaitaia the heaviest rain fell between 3pm and midnight (73mm), with 90mm in the 24 hours to 9am/13th. Many stations throughout the Northland region had 24 hour falls of 50-100mm. Heavy rain commenced again on the 30th in Northland and Auckland and reached its peak on the 1st of July, leading to some serious local flooding. The driest areas were in the central districts and parts of Canterbury and Otago. Some stations in the south had only 10-25% of their normal rainfall. At Methven only 2mm was recorded during the month, and Christchurch Airport had their lowest June total (5mm) since the station began in 1944.

Some monthly totals (mm): Kaitaia 352, Kerikeri 577, Albert Park 248, Port Fitzroy 579, Rai Valley 188; Ohakune 15, Wanganui 33, Ashburton 6, Timaru 6, Ranfurly 1.

Temperatures:  Temperatures were above normal throughout the whole of New Zealand. Most districts were warmer by at least 1.0C, and in northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Otago by more than 1.5C. The only cold spell during the month was from the 4th to 10th when maximum temperatures were slightly below average. On the 18th and 19th temperatures were very warm along the east coast of the South island, maxima being above normal by 5C to 8C.

22.2C maximum at Akaroa on the 19th, -8.0C minimum at Golden Downs on the 16th.

Sunshine:  The only districts with above normal sunshine hours for the month were in Taranaki, Nelson, Canterbury and parts of Westland and Southland. The greatest departures below normal were in Northland and Auckland. Auckland City’s 72 hours was the lowest June total since records began in 1930. Christchurch had more than 20 hours above average for June.

[Some totals: Kaitaia 105, Dargaville 50, Waitangi 74, Whangarei 56, Auckland 72, Tauranga 88, Whakatane 119, Rotorua 101, Taupo 105, Hamilton 64, New Plymouth 113, Masterton 90, Dannevirke 98, Gisborne 108, Napier 104, Wairoa 83, Paraparaumu 116, Ohakea 100, Palmerston North 79, Levin 89, Wellington 96, Stratford 105, Wanganui 102, Westport 123, Hokitika 103, Greymouth 87, Riwaka 148, Nelson 160, Blenheim 135, Grassmere 131, Kaikoura 136, Mt Cook 79, Mt John 146, Methven 140, Christchurch 140, Tekapo 117, Timaru 119, Oamaru Aero 114, Omarama 115, Palmerston 108, Dunedin 92, Te Anau 63, Queenstown 80, Alexandra 95, Gore 71, Invercargill 73, Raoul Is 67 (2nd lowest), Campbell Is 3].

Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations).