March 1975: In March the weather was warm and cloudy, as in February. Rainfall was above normal over about half the country but there were a few dry areas. The only place in the country with conditions too dry for good grass growth was the Wanganui district.
Rainfall: Rainfall over most of the country was between 75 and 150 percent of normal. However, it was considerably above average in some areas exposed to the north and east, which recorded large rainfalls from the depression which was formerly Cyclone Alison. The area mainly affected was the northern half of the South Island on the 11th-13th. The Kaikoura Coast experienced exceptional falls of about 200mm in 12 hours on the 12th. During the 28th-30th heavy rain in South Westland and Fiordland caused Lake Te Anau to reach a very high level.
Some monthly totals (mm): Te Aroha 205, Stratford Mountain House 747, Hokitika 329, Milford 945, Kaikoura 264, Christchurch 139; Wanganui 24, Tekapo 34, Ophir 16.
Temperatures: Temperatures were above normal over the whole country, mainly by 1.5C to 2C.
31.3C maximum at Ashburton on the 21st,
-1.6C minimum at Ranfurly on the 28th.
Sunshine: Sunshine was below normal everywhere, except for small areas in the east of Northland and on the Kaikoura Coast, where it was about normal. This was the cloudiest March for 10 years at many places on the West Coast.
[Some totals: Kaitaia 155, Whangarei 151, Leigh 181, Auckland 158, Tauranga 189, Whakatane 186, Taupo 156, Te Kauwhata 144, Hamilton 165, Taumarunui 129, New Plymouth 163, Masterton 170, Dannevirke 126, Gisborne 190, Napier 177, Wairoa 188, Paraparaumu 158, Ohakea 161, Palmerston North 156, Levin 132, Wellington 145, Stratford 151, Wanganui 175, Westport 136, Hokitika 124, Greymouth 108, Haast 132, Riwaka 196, Nelson 173, Blenheim 200, Kaikoura 181, Mt Cook 118, Mt John 188, Methven 143, Christchurch 148, Timaru 122, Waimate 112, Omarama 168, Palmerston 130, Dunedin 102, Oamaru 108, Te Anau 131, Queenstown 170, Alexandra 178, Gore 124, Invercargill 118].
Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations) - additional comments in italics.
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February 12, 2012, 12:56:08 PM