February 1969: There was an unusually high frequency of easterly winds over New Zealand in February, bringing excessive cloud and rain to Northland and considerable cloud also to eastern districts of the North Island; while in inland South Island districts the weather was very dry and sunny. Pasture growth was good over most of the country, but fruit and vegetables were slow in ripening. In Gisborne and Hawkes Bay and even in most of Canterbury the weather was not suitable for harvesting.
Rainfall: Rainfall showed exceptionally wide variations. It was mainly less than half the average in the South Island south of Hokitika and Ashburton, around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, and in Marlborough, Wellington, and southern Wairarapa. From inland South Canterbury to the Southern Lakes district many stations recorded less than 10% of average, with a record low of 0.03” at Lake Tekapo.
By contrast, rainfall was more than double the average in Northland, Coromandel and the Tauranga-Te Puke area. Greatest excesses were recorded to the north of Whangarei; totals were up to about 32”, 4-6 times the average value. Here more than three-quarters of the rain fell during the 6 days 11-16 February, amounting to 17-26”. This was a period of persistent easterlies, and considerable flooding was reported.
Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly 1.0F below average. In eastern districts from Gisborne to Wairarapa together with Rotorua-Taupo they were 2F-3F below average. In the Alps they were 2F warmer than average.
Sunshine: In eastern districts of the North Island sunshine was up to 70 hours below average, Kerikeri receiving only 111 hours and Gisborne 151. On the other hand, the West Coast and most inland South Island districts were favoured with up to 50 hours above average.
[Some totals: Kaitaia 128, Kerikeri 111, Whangarei 112, Auckland 157, Tauranga 205, Whakatane 200, Taupo 178, Opotiki 183, Hamilton 180, New Plymouth 212, Masterton 137, Gisborne 151, Napier 166, Wairoa 157, Paraparaumu 215, Ohakea 208, Palmerston North 195, Levin 196, Wellington 181, Stratford 213, Ohakune 194, Wanganui 223, Westport 185, Hokitika 190, Greymouth 163, Haast 198, Riwaka 229, Nelson 214, Blenheim 177, Grassmere 162, Kaikoura 179, Mt Cook 184, Mt John 261, Methven 174, Christchurch 176, Tekapo 264, Timaru 185, Waimate 171, Omarama 227, Dunedin Aero 155, Dunedin 149, Oamaru 187, Queenstown 210, Alexandra 221, Invercargill 158, Raoul Is 91(lowest), Campbell Is 51, Chatham Is 104.]
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 15, 2018, 04:49:10 PM