13 SEPTEMBER
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
3997

THE WEATHER IN NEW ZEALAND IN JULY 1985

General—July was a rather mild month with rainfall well above normal in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay, but above average elsewhere. The frequency of south-westerlies over the North Island was much higher than usual, but strong winds were less frequent. Over the South Island westerlies predominated and were stronger than usual.

Strong southerly winds affected the Wellington - Cook Strait region during the 27th and 28th causing damage to boats and some properties. These winds also affected the Kaikoura and Canterbury Coast, producing high seas. Several shoreline houses were damaged. During this same period high winds from the southerly quarter with speeds up to 167 kmph were recorded at the Chatham Islands to the east of New Zealand. Strong to gale force north-westerlies were reported in Canterbury on the 8th.

Snow fell on the Desert road in the central North Island, closing it temporarily on the 27th and 28th.

Most farmers report grass growth as being better than usual especially in the North Island, and stock in good condition.

Rainfall—In the North Island during the 25th and 26th a slow moving depression with a very moist easterly flow brought very heavy rain in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. From 9 a.m. on the 25th to 9 a.m. on the 26th a record 24-hour fall of 200 mm was recorded at Gisborne Airport, the previous record fall for 24 hours was 121 mm recorded in June 1977. Serious damage resulted due to flooding. In Napier a total of 146 mm fell during the 24th to the 27th. The total rainfalls for July for Gisborne and Napier were 326 mm (278 percent of normal, and highest for July since records began in 1937) and 215 mm (269 percent of normal respectively. Some extensive flooding was also reported at this time in farming areas of the Wairarapa.

Rainfall was lower than normal in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. These areas received between 60 to 80 percent of their normal rainfall for July. It was also a little drier than normal in Taranaki, Manawatu and Wellington.

In the South Island regions that received above normal rainfalls were; the Kaikoura Coast, Timaru, Southland, Westland and Fiordland, where totals ranged from between 120 to 160 percent of normal. Nelson was rather dry receiving only 52 percent of normal. It was also drier in Otago.

Temperatures—Over the whole country mean temperatures were well above normal.

In the North Island mean daily temperatures were from 1.5°C to 2.0°C higher than usual.

In the South Island mean daily temperatures ranged between 1.0°C to 1.5°C above normal.

In many places this July, the mean daily temperature for the month was the highest on record. New Plymouth had the warmest July in over 63 years and in Kelburn (Wellington) for over 57 years. Other places that recorded their warmest July for over 20 years were; Auckland, Rotorua, Palmerston North and Paraparaumu.

Sunshine—Although July’s weather was rather mild, total sunshine hours were somewhat lower than normal over the whole country except in Gisborne and on the Kaikoura Coast where it was nearly 10 percent above normal.

Among those stations which recorded the greatest departures this month are:

Auckland City (–34 hours, the lowest since 1964).

New Plymouth (–33 hours, the lowest since 1964).

Kaitaia (–30 hours, the lowest since 1967).

Dunedin Airport (–26 hours).

Ruakura (–25 hours).

Tauranga (–25 hours).

Taupo (–25 hours).

J. S. HICKMAN, Director.