January sunshine normal or above in most places

January experienced contrasting weather patterns, with temperatures well below average in the west of the South Island and above average in the east of the North Island, according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.

The highest temperature recorded was 36C in Alexandra on January 27, 28 and 29, while the lowest was -1.2C at Ranfurly on January 19.

Sunshine was normal or above throughout the country.

Winds were strong with gusts of 165k/h from the northwest occurring at Kaukau Top in early January while gales buffeted Wellington City.

Rainfall was well above normal in Northland, inland Bay of Plenty, Taupo and Southland, and Rotorua getting 140mm over a 24-hour period on January 25. Coromandel Peninsula had 260mm in just 14 hours.

Rotorua and Taupo districts were also affected by severe thunderstorms and surface flooding on January 28. However, Horowhenua had rain well below normal.

Of the four main centres, Christchurch was the driest and Auckland the wettest. Auckland had near normal rainfall, temperature and sunshine. Wellington was drier and sunnier than normal, Christchurch was drier than normal and Dunedin was sunnier than normal.

- NZPA