Western Bay residents were treated to unseasonably warm temperatures last month, with Te Puke recording its highest mean air temperature for the month since records began more than 40 years ago.
Niwa reported the mean air temperature in Te Puke in September was 13.6C, 1.8C higher than usual, and the highest since records began in 1973. Nights were also warmer with the town recording its highest ever mean minimum temperature of 9.4C, 2.6C higher than normal.
Te Puke's mean maximum air temperature reached 17.9C - the fourth highest ever recorded in the town.
Tauranga's mean air temperature was higher still at 13.7C and was the third highest September since records began 101 years ago.
September was not as sunny as usual in Tauranga with 164 hours of sunshine recorded - only 94 per cent of the usual amount.