July was unusually warm, but a bitterly-cold polar blast towards the end of the month brought the mean temperatures back down to average, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) says.
Niwa national climate centre's summary of July's weather said while the monthly mean temperature was near average in many regions, temperatures on some days were anything but typical.
It had started out unusually warm in eastern areas of both islands, but a polar blast during 24-26 July delivered a bitterly cold air mass.
This cold blast brought snow to many areas which usually never get dusted, including Wellington and Motueka, northwest of Nelson.
It also created the coldest day on record for July in Manapouri, with -10.2 degrees Celsius.