Coldest March since '93

A cold start to autumn saw March average temperatures fall to their lowest since 1993, according to the National Climate Centre.

The national average temperature of 14.2C - almost 3C lower than February - was 1.5C below the average temperature for 1971-2000.

The highest recorded temperature was 30.2C, recorded at Ashburton Airport on March 14, while the lowest was -4.1C in Middlemarch, in Otago, on March 26.

Temperatures were well below average in many regions, particularly in the South Island, and as low as April temperatures in parts of inland South Canterbury.

There were contrasts in rainfall, with above average totals in many northern and eastern parts of the North Island, as well as coastal Southland.

Rainfall was below normal in Nelson, inland South Canterbury, and many western regions.

The highest wind gust for the month was 150km/h from the northwest at Castlepoint in the Wairarapa on March 1.

- NZPA