October 1968: Winds from a westerly quarter were exceptionally strong and frequent over the country in October, and for the greater part of the country it was the
windiest of any month in many years of records. It was also cooler and wetter than usual. The persistence of cool temperatures for both September and October retarded growth. Late frosts, mainly on the 12th, affected the Central Otago fruit crop. The stormiest period was from the 22nd to the 29th. A very deep depression passed close to Southland on the 26th, and violent northwesterly gales buffeted Southland, Cook Strait, and parts of the North Island.
Rainfall: Rainfall was mainly about 50% above average. It was more than double the average on the main ranges of the South Island, including the Southern Lakes area. It was drier than usual by about 25% in Bay of Plenty, together with parts of Waikato, Taupo and Gisborne; also on the Canterbury plains and coast, together with North Otago and the Kaikoura coast; and on parts of the east coast of Northland, Auckland, Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa. Otira’s rainfall for the month was 49.52”, of which 11.92” fell in the first 4 days and 29.12” from the 22nd to 29th. Following on the second period of heavy rain, serious flooding affected parts of the West Coast, cutting off road access, especially through the Buller Gorge. Severe hailstorms were reported on several occasions, notably in Herekino (Northland) on the 4th, in Hawera and Rangiora on the 10th, Waipukurau on the 16th, and Manawatu on the 30th.
Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly below average by 1F-2F in the North Island. Highest departures of 3F-5F were in a 60-mile wide belt centred on the main ranges of the South Island, and extending from the Buller River southward. This included Fiordland and most of Westland, besides parts of western Southland, Central Otago and the Canterbury high country. Milford Sound had its coldest October in over 30 years of records. In coastal areas of Gisborne and Hawkes Bay temperatures were warmer than usual by 1F. The main snowfalls affecting the ranges and high country of both islands were from the 11th to the 16th.It was reported to low levels at times in eastern districts of the South Island, and, on the 16th, also in parts of Hawkes Bay.
Sunshine: Northland, Gisborne, Nelson, North Otago and most of Canterbury were favoured with 20-30 hours above average sunshine. Western districts of the North Island and parts of Buller and coastal Southland were below average by a similar amount.
[Some totals: Kaitaia 216, Kerikeri 217, Whangarei 210, Auckland 174, Tauranga 192, Whakatane 206, Taupo 163, Opotiki 187, Hamilton 163, New Plymouth 149, Masterton 197, Gisborne 231, Napier 226, Wairoa 231, Paraparaumu 167, Ohakea 166, Palmerston North 136, Levin 145, Wellington 173, Stratford 166, Ohakune 120, Wanganui 176, Westport 130, Hokitika 149, Greymouth 123, Haast 153, Riwaka 246, Nelson 233, Blenheim 227, Grassmere 195, Kaikoura 229, Mt Cook 143, Mt John 268, Methven 221, Christchurch 226, Tekapo 251, Timaru 214, Waimate 209, Omarama 216, Dunedin Aero 194, Dunedin 182, Oamaru 224, Queenstown 191, Alexandra 224, Invercargill 137, Campbell Is 60, Chatham Is 147.]
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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September 06, 2018, 07:51:54 AM