1494
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
No. 58

THE WEATHER IN NEW ZEALAND FOR JANUARY 1985

General—January was mild and generally sunny. North-westerly winds were more frequent than usual in the north and there were more north-easterly winds than usual in the South. Although winds were close to average in strength in the north, there were fewer strong winds than usual in the south this month.

Pressures were low, especially in the South Island and south of the North Island.

Farmers in the North Island reported good stock condition with feed generally plentiful except in parts of Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa which continued to be very dry. In the South Island conditions were generally very favourable for stock and crops apart from areas of Canterbury and North Otago. Continuing dry weather in these areas has led to feed shortages and some poor grain harvests.

Rainfall—Rainfall was generally above normal except for parts of Northland, some central areas and the east of the North Island, the Kaikoura Coast, Canterbury and Otago. Some parts of Canterbury had between 10 and 25 percent of normal rainfall while other dry areas had generally between 40 and 80 percent of normal rainfall.

Western areas of both Islands and the north of the South Island were very wet, with many stations recording between 200 and 400 percent of normal. Frequent thunderstorms this month contributed significantly to the high rainfalls in these areas.

Heavy rain fell in Nelson and Marlborough regions on the 10th. Severe flooding affected parts of Nelson City and damaged the water supply system. Some homes were without water for 4 days. There were severe losses of stock and crops (hay) and damage to fences in North-west Nelson and a bridge over the Aorere River was washed away, leaving 3 families stranded.

Among the heavier falls recorded in 24 hours were: Uruwhenua 206 mm, Bainham 150 mm, Nelson Airport 138 mm, Mapua 127 mm, Riwaka 126 mm and Wairau Valley 126 mm.

Temperatures—Temperatures were above normal over the whole country this month. The south of the North Island and the east of the South Island were particularly mild, with mean temperatures in these areas between 2° and 3°C above normal. Temperatures for the rest of the country were between normal and 2°C above.

There were two notably warm periods this month. Apart from some western areas, mean temperatures were between 4° and 9°C above average between the 3rd and 5th, with maximum temperatures of between 30° and 35°C in some eastern areas of both Islands.

Mean temperatures were between 4° and 7°C above average in many places during the last 3 days of the month with maximum again exceeding 30°C in some eastern areas.

There were some cool days during the month. Many areas had mean temperatures 2° to 6°C lower than average between the 11th and 14th and again between the 22nd and 24th.

Sunshine—The North Island and north and east of the South Island had average or above average sunshine but the south and west of the South Island were cloudier than usual. Among those stations recording the greatest departures this month were: Christchurch (+68 hours), Wellington (+49 hours), Kaikoura (+46 hours), Timaru (+40 hours), Invercargill (−33 hours), Hokitika (−26 hours), and Dunedin (−26 hours).

J. S. HICKMAN, Director.