September 1965: September was marked by rather more frequent and persistent winds from a westerly quarter than usual. It was also a rather dry month in most districts, especially after the wet and unpleasant late winter. By the end the month conditions were very dry in parts of Marlborough, and pasture growth was retarded in the Auckland province. On the 18th a small local tornado caused some damage in New Plymouth.
Rainfall: Rainfall was below average over the greater part of the country. In northern areas of the North Island and most northern and eastern districts of the South Island it was less than half the normal value. Around Blenheim totals were below 0.25” and among the lowest on record. Over most of the Gisborne district and parts of northern Hawkes Bay rainfall was 50% above average. In this area nearly all the rain fell between the 4th and 8th. The largest area of above-normal rainfall was the West Coast together with western Nelson and some areas to the east, including the Southern Lakes and about Foveaux Strait.
Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly close to average. However, in Canterbury and parts of Otago they were 1F-2F above average. Snow fell to low levels in inland Southland on the 2nd and 3rd and also affected the high country elsewhere as far north as Ruapehu.
Sunshine: The North Island south of Auckland, Marlborough, and parts of Nelson and North and inland Canterbury were favoured with 20 hours more sunshine than average. In western and most southern districts of the South Island sunshine was below average by the same amount.
[Some totals: Kaitaia 189, Kerikeri 170, Whangarei 171, Auckland 165, Tauranga 203, Whakatane 203, Taupo 196, Opotiki 185, Hamilton 186, New Plymouth 185, Masterton 196, Gisborne 199, Napier 208, Wairoa 203, Paraparaumu 180, Ohakea 197, Palmerston North 151, Levin 161, Wellington 204, Stratford 189, Ohakune 163, Wanganui 177, Westport 128, Hokitika 126, Greymouth 109, Haast 130, Riwaka 233, Nelson 213, Blenheim 224, Grassmere 225, Kaikoura 197, Mt Cook 140, Mt John 198, Methven 191, Christchurch 174, Tekapo 196, Timaru 160, Waimate 155, Dunedin Aero 142, Dunedin 132, Queenstown 162, Alexandra 185, Invercargill 119, Campbell Is 62, Chatham Is 121].
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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June 23, 2018, 07:25:01 PM