Winter was.... surprisingly dry

The Auckland War Memorial Museum is framed by early blooming daffodils. Photo / NZ Herald

Winter arrived late this year, but was announced with two extreme polar outbreaks.

The NIWA national climate summary for June to August this year shows a picture of a relatively dry winter in many regions.

Climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said sunshine totals were above normal for many regions.

"It was a generally sunny and rather dry winter, and was much warmer than usual in the north and east of the North Island, as well as Central Otago and the Lakes district.''

Winter began exceptionally warm, with June finishing up as the third warmest June on record.

The warmest temperature, 22.4 degrees, was recorded on June 5 at Whitianga on the North Island's Coromandel Coast, a new winter record at this location.

Throughout July, temperatures remained high and were punctured with a stormy, unsettled and extremely strong westerly wind.

Cape Turnagain in Manawatu-Wanganui was hit with the highest gust, peaking at 189km/h on July 12.

A polar blast arrived on July 24, lasting for three days as bitterly cold air chilled the country.

The coldest temperature recorded during winter was -10.2 degrees in Manapouri, Southland on July 26. It set a new all-time record at this location.

The second polar outbreak arrived on August 14, and wreaked havoc across New Zealand as heavy snow levels caused schools and roads to close over the four day period.

Thermometers rose when spring-like temperatures crept in at the end of August.

Of the six main centres in winter, Auckland was the warmest, Christchurch the coldest, Hamilton the wettest, Dunedin the driest and Tauranga the sunniest.