July 1974: This was one of the wettest Julys on record and also one of the mildest. It was a cloudy month and was notable for frequent strong winds from a westerly quarter over the North Island. Growth was mainly good for the time of year, but farming conditions were too wet in many areas.
Rainfall: Rainfall was above normal over most of the country [Only half of the average in parts of eastern Northland]. It was more than double the normal value in western districts from Kawhia to Wellington, over most of Otago and south-eastern Southland, and in parts of Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds. Stratford Mountain House recorded 1573mm, one of the highest totals ever recorded in New Zealand. Southern and western districts of the North Island had considerable falls on the 2nd, 3rd and 17th, with local flooding and many slips. In Otago the wettest period was from the 28th-30th, and parts of North Otago received as much as 170mm on these 3 days. Many Otago rivers were in flood on the 30th, including the Taieri and Tokomairiro; and extensive dislocation of road and rail traffic both north and south of Dunedin was reported.
Some totals: Te Kuiti 295mm, New Plymouth 358mm, Mt Bruce 607mm, Levin 305mm, Kelburn 282mm, Stratford 533mm, Takaka 412mm, Fairlie 36mm, Timaru Aero 34mm.
Temperatures: Temperatures were above normal over the whole country, mainly by 1.5C. Departures were higher over the North Island than over the South Island. Rotorua had its mildest July on record, equal with 1949, in many years of observation. The coldest spells were from the 3rd to the 6th; and also, mainly in the South Island, from the 9th to the 11th. During these periods snow was reported to low levels in the South Island and on the high country of the North Island.
21.4C maximum at Kaikoura on the 19th.
Sunshine: Sunshine was below normal by up to 60 hours over the greater part of the country, largest deficiencies being from Bay of Plenty to Waikato, Waitomo and Taupo. However, South Westland had a little more than normal; and most areas near the east coast of both Islands had totals close to normal. Central Northland and Central Otago also had about average sunshine.
[Some totals: Kaikohe 123, Leigh 130, Auckland 106, Thames 78, Tauranga 107, Whakatane 117, Taupo 82, Hamilton 82, Te Kuiti 58, Taumarunui 67, New Plymouth 108, Masterton 102, Gisborne 142, Napier 135, Ohakea 103, Palmerston North 77, Wellington 94, Stratford 87, Ohakune 52, Wanganui 97, Takaka 126, Westport 88, Hokitika 106, Greymouth 95, Haast 130, Nelson 122, Blenheim 122, Kaikoura 109, Mt Cook 64, Mt John 124, Christchurch 122, Methven 129, Timaru 116, Omarama 131, Palmerston 111, Dunedin 89, Oamaru 107, Queenstown 83, Alexandra 108, Invercargill 80, Raoul Is 89].
Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations).
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March 28, 2012, 04:13:52 PM