NZ weather summary June 1962

[Rwood]

June 1962: Like May, it was unusually mild, especially in the South Island. There was still some pasture growth, even in the south. In parts of the North Island the ground was too wet, as is usually the case in the winter months.

Rainfall: Rainfall was mainly close to normal. However, it was only 2/3 of average in Nelson and Marlborough (excluding the Sounds), also in central Hawkes Bay, coastal Bay of Plenty, and eastern Northland. It was 50% above average in western Waikato and Waitomo and in some inland areas south of Christchurch. Widespread rain over the catchment of the Waikato River on the 21st-22nd caused some flooding.

Temperatures: Temperatures were above normal by 2F-3F in the North Island and by 3F-4F in the South island. Wellington had its warmest June for nearly a century. In most districts north of Christchurch the first week was exceptionally mild, with departures from the monthly average of 6-9F. Snow fell on the ranges of both islands from the 12th-14th and was also reported in the hill country of West Otago from the 23rd-25th. [The mean national temperature for this June has since been equalled or surpassed at least 8 times].

Sunshine: Sunshine was mainly close to or somewhat below normal. It was unusually cloudy in South Canterbury, Timaru recording only 76 hours, its lowest in 36 years of observation. The only areas with 20 or more hours above average were Northland and Auckland and central Marlborough.

[Some totals: Te Hapua 143, Kaitaia 146, Kerikeri 148, Whangarei 127, Auckland 143, Tauranga 151, Whakatane 152, Taupo 122, Opotiki 138, Hamilton 124, New Plymouth 124, Masterton 100, Gisborne 122, Napier 114, Wairoa 110, Paraparaumu 121, Ohakea 109, Palmerston Nth 92, Levin 112, Wellington 124, Ohakune 72, Wanganui 107, Westport 103, Hokitika 91, Greymouth 79, Haast 76, Nelson 153, Blenheim 183, Grassmere 152, Kaikoura 127, Mt Cook 60, Methven 123, Christchurch 112, Tekapo 87, Timaru 76, Waimate 74, Oamaru 84, Omarama 98, Dunedin Aero 78, Dunedin 75, Queenstown 53, Alexandra 81, Invercargill 63, Campbell Is 10, Chatham Is 67].


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]

A good winter month for Blenheim, combining high sunshine with exceptionally mild temperatures.