✨ Weather Report
25 JULY THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 3133
THE WEATHER IN NEW ZEALAND IN MAY 1986
General—May was another mild, and sunny month in most regions. Westerlies prevailed over the North Island with less strong winds than usual. Westerlies also prevailed over the South Island. South-westerlies had their normal frequency over the South Island this month, and this was their highest frequency since November last year.
Mean sea level pressures were one hectopascal above normal over the south of the South Island, and almost 3 hPa higher than normal over the North Island.
Most farmers reported stock in good condition. There was a shortage of feed on some farms in Hawke Bay, and there was little pasture growth in Canterbury, Otago and Southland this month.
Rainfall—Total monthly rainfall was above average in the Waikato, being 130 percent of normal at Hamilton Airport. Elsewhere in the North Island it was near or below average. Rainfall was only 56 percent of normal at Waingawa, Wairarapa and about 70 percent of normal in Wellington and most east coast regions.
Over the South Island rainfall was above average in most places in Inland Canterbury, Otago and Southland. For areas on the West Coast and in Fiordland it was drier, with monthly rainfall being between 75 to 80 percent of normal. It was very dry on the east coast from Kaikoura to Banks Peninsula and also in North Otago. The total monthly rainfalls at Kaikoura, Christchurch Airport, and Oamaru Airport were only 21, 29 and 22 mm respectively. There was no rain in Whakatane, Christchurch and Timaru until the 17th.
Temperatures—Over most of the country the mean daily maximum temperature was near normal. Daily maximum temperatures were 1°C above average on the east coast of the North Island, in Waikato, Wellington, Marlborough and North Canterbury. A maximum of 24.5°C was recorded at Napier Airport on the 4th, which is the highest temperature there for May for at least 16 years.
Mean daily minimum temperatures were near normal over the whole of New Zealand. Some severe frosts were recorded in Canterbury and Otago between the 5th and the 8th and from the 23rd to the 28th due to cold south-westerly flows which had covered the country, followed by fine cold nights.
Sunshine—May was another sunny month in most places, particularly in Auckland and in North Canterbury. This May was the sunniest on record at Auckland Airport for at least 17 years. There was less sunshine than usual for May in Southland.
J. S. HICKMAN, Director.
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VUW Te Waharoa —
NZ Gazette 1986, No 113
NZLII —
NZ Gazette 1986, No 113
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Climatological Table for May 1986
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🎓 Education, Culture & ScienceWeather, Climatology, May 1986, Statistics, Temperature, Rainfall, Sunshine
- J. S. Hickman, Director