1967 Drier, Warmer Than Average

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31568, 4 January 1968, Page 10

1967 Drier, Warmer Than Average

Fifty hours more sunshine than average, two inches less rain and slightly warmer temperatures were the features of last year’s weather, according to the Weather Office at Christchurch Airport.

The number of sunshine hours last year was 2043 compared with the annual average of 1998 hours; the sunniest month was October, with 230 hours; July had the fewest hours, 105. Rain fell on 97 days (annual average 130 days) and 24 inches was recorded. The average rainfall for Christchurch is 26 inches. In 1966, the rainfall was 21.56 inches. The wettest month last year was November when 4.67 inches was recorded: the driest month was July, with 0.24 inches. The highest temperature was 96 degrees on February 26. The temperature exceeded 80 degrees on 20 days. The heaviest frost was 14.5 degrees on July 16. Snow fell

On three days and hail on four.

The strongest gust of wind was a north-westerly of 60 miles an hour on November 24. Rainfall and sunshine totals for the four main centres last year were: Auckland, 49.13 inches of rain, 173 rainy days, 2107 hours of sunshine; Wellington, 49.17, 151, 2026; Christchurch, 24, 97, 2048; Dunedin, 26.36, 152, 1702.

The maximum temperature in Christchurch last month was 84 degrees on December 13 and the minimum 39 degrees on December 10. Rainfall was 1.16 inches, compared with the average for December of 2.36 inches. There were 2(6 hours of sunshine, about average for the month.