NZ weather summary February 1961

[Rwood]

February 1961:  It was a cloudy month for most of the country. In the North Island it was also a month of low rainfall. In most districts the soil was still moist after good rains in the last half of January, but in parts of Manawatu the ground was still very dry. The comparatively wet weather experienced in Canterbury and Otago was good for pastures, but harvesting suffered.

Rainfall: In the North Island rainfall was at least 25% below average, except in Taranaki, parts of southern Hawkes Bay, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. In Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and most of Northland it ranged from 1/6 to half of normal. In the South Island rainfall was mainly close to average. However, most of inland Canterbury and Central were wetter than usual, while Marlborough (apart from the Kaikoura Coast) was drier.

Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly within about 1F of normal. In Marlborough, Nelson and Westland they were 2F warmer than average.

Sunshine: Sunshine was below average over the greater part of the country, and deficiencies of over 30 hours were recorded in some western districts of both islands, and also in some central districts of the North Island and Central Otago. Wairarapa, Marlborough and most of Canterbury were favoured with more sunshine than normal, and the surplus exceeded 40 hours in Marlborough. [Blenheim’s total was much higher than at any other station this month].

[Some totals: Te Hapua 166, Kaitaia 175, Kerikeri 153, Whangarei 148, Auckland 193, Tauranga 214, Whakatane 210, Taupo 172, Hamilton 177, New Plymouth 173, Masterton 230, Gisborne 224, Napier 207, Wairoa 236, Paraparaumu 216, Ohakea 214, Palmerston North 187, Levin 200, Wellington 218, Wanganui 197, Westport 160, Hokitika 143, Greymouth 135, Haast 143, Nelson 226, Blenheim 279, Grassmere 248, Kaikoura 220, Mt Cook 144, Methven 206, Christchurch 208, Tekapo 217, Timaru 175, Waimate 165, Oamaru Aero 148, Omarama 190, Dunedin 139, Queenstown 164, Alexandra 167, Invercargill 130, Campbell Is 86, Chatham Is 162].


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]

February 1961:  [/color]It was a cloudy month for most of the country. In the North Island it was also a month of low rainfall. In most districts the soil was still moist after good rains in the last half of January, but in parts of Manawatu the ground was still very dry. The comparatively wet weather experienced in Canterbury and Otago was good for pastures, but harvesting suffered.

Rainfall: In the North Island rainfall was at least 25% below average, except in Taranaki, parts of southern Hawkes Bay, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. In Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and most of Northland it ranged from 1/6 to half of normal. In the South Island rainfall was mainly close to average. However, most of inland Canterbury and Central were wetter than usual, while Marlborough (apart from the Kaikoura Coast) was drier.

Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly within about 1F of normal. In Marlborough, Nelson and Westland they were 2F warmer than average.


Sunshine: Sunshine was below average over the greater part of the country, and deficiencies of over 30 hours were recorded in some western districts of both islands, and also in some central districts of the North Island and Central Otago. Wairarapa, Marlborough and most of Canterbury were favoured with more sunshine than normal, and the surplus exceeded 40 hours in Marlborough. [Blenheim’s total was much higher than at any other station this month].

[Some totals: Te Hapua 166, Kaitaia 175, Kerikeri 153, Whangarei 148, Auckland 193, Tauranga 214, Whakatane 210, Taupo 172, Hamilton 177, New Plymouth 173, Masterton 230, Gisborne 224, Napier 207, Wairoa 236, Paraparaumu 216, Ohakea 214, Palmerston North 187, Levin 200, Wellington 218, Wanganui 197, Westport 160, Hokitika 143, Greymouth 135, Haast 143, Nelson 226, Blenheim 279, Grassmere 248, Kaikoura 220, Mt Cook 144, Methven 206, Christchurch 208, Tekapo 217, Timaru 175, Waimate 165, Oamaru Aero 148, Omarama 190, Dunedin 139, Queenstown 164, Alexandra 167, Invercargill 130, Campbell Is 86, Chatham Is 162].


Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations) - additional comments by the poster.

Not at all a summer month in the south, with the cloudiness and unstable conditions. Went to Milford Sound one weekend but the weather didn't cooperate for scenic views - OK, but it was cloudy and rainless so the waterfalls were not in top form. Drizzle and rain started after we left! Made up for that with a trip many years later in perfect sunny weather.