16 JANUARY 101
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

THE WEATHER IN NEW ZEALAND IN OCTOBER 1986

General—October was warmer, cloudier, and less windy than usual, in most places.

West to south-west winds prevailed with near normal frequencies for October over the North Island. North-easterlies prevailed over the south of the South Island. Their frequency at Invercargill was the highest on record there, for at least 30 years. North-westerlies usually occur with a high frequency at Invercargill during October, whereas this year their frequency was the lowest on record there.

Mean sea level pressures were 1 to 3 hPa below normal over the whole of New Zealand. The only places where high pressures (over 1025 hPa) were recorded this month were in the far north of the North Island. This was because all of the anticyclones passed either to the north, or to the far south of the country.

During the afternoon of the 18th, a severe hailstorm affected some areas in Hawke Bay. Some hailstones were reported to be up to 4 cm in diameter. Extensive damage to fruit trees resulted in about 100 orchards, and the total cost of the damage was estimated to be as high as $20 million.

Most farmers reported good to vigorous grass growth this month. Stock on some farms in Hawke Bay, Wairarapa and Canterbury were noted to be in fair condition, due to wet pasture underfoot, and a lack of sunshine. In parts of Canterbury sowing of crops had to be delayed because of the wet soil conditions.

Rainfall—For the North Island rainfall totals were a little above normal in Southern Hawke Bay, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Horowhenua. Over 200 percent of normal rainfall for October was recorded at Paraparaumu Airport. Rainfall ranged from 50 to 75 percent of normal in parts of Northland and Bay of Plenty. Only about 35 percent of normal rainfall was recorded at Whangarei Airport.

Over the South Island October’s rainfall ranged from 120 to 180 percent of normal in Buller, Nelson, Marlborough (except Blenheim), North Canterbury and coastal areas of South Canterbury. Rainfall ranged from 40 to 80 percent of normal in inland Canterbury, Otago and Fiordland.

Temperatures—Mean daily temperatures were between 0.5 and 1.0°C above the average for October, in most places. The warmest regions were Hawke Bay, Westland and Fiordland, where temperatures were about 1.5°C above normal.

Due to frequent cloudy conditions, day-time maximum temperatures in most regions of the North Island (south of Auckland) were near average. In Auckland City, the mean daily maximum temperature of 18.5°C was the highest for October since 1967.

In the South Island, apart from Westland and Fiordland, day-time maximum temperatures were about 1°C below average. At Milford Sound the mean daily maximum temperature was the highest for at least 50 years. Night-time temperatures were 1 to 2°C above average throughout most of the country.

Sunshine—Hours of bright sunshine were below average in most regions, being about 70 to 80 percent of average in Manawatu, Nelson, Marlborough and Central Otago. The only regions where sunshine was above average were Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Southland and Fiordland. In these areas sunshine hours were about 110 to 120 percent of average.

J. S. HICKMAN, Director.