Blenheim Sunniest, Haast Wettest

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30961, 18 January 1966, Page 3

Blenheim Sunniest, Haast Wettest

(N.Z. Press Association) I WELLINGTON, Jan. 17.1 Blenheim, with 2514 hours in 1965, was the sunniest town in New Zealand for the second successive year. Riwaka, Nelson, with 2480 hours, was the next sunniest spot. In 1964 Bleheim had 2408 hours of sunshine. Invercargill, where the sun shone for over 1472 hours was at the bottom of the list. It also had 213 rain days. Wellington, which had 2047 hours of sunshine and tied with Te Paki, had 165 days of ram during which 58.51 inches fell. Rain fell in Blenheim on I 11l days last year with a total of 22.41 inches.

Hokitika, which had the highest rainfall in 1964, had 111.82 inches of rain in 1965 falling over 210 days. Haast which had 199 rainy days, recorded the highest rainfall —145.23 inches. Whakatane had 2447 hours of sunshine, the third highest, and 47.91 inches of rain fell over 132 days.

rainy days. The recorded rainfall was 29.07 inches.

Dunedin, which was sixth from the bottom of the list, had 1590 hours of sunshine and 188 rainy days during which 29.19 inches fell. The figures released today bj the Weather Office do not include sunshine figures for Thames, Waihi, Opotiki, Whatawhata, Wairoa, Levin, Greymouth and Waipiata. The sunshine hours are: Blenheim, 2514: Riwaka, 2480; Whakatane, 2447; Mount John, Tekapo, 2413; Princes Drive, Nelson, 2375; Napier, 2355; Nelson aerodrome 2340; Tauranga, 2331; Gisborne aerodrome, 2325; Lake Grassmere, 2283; Te Teko, 2282; Lake Tekapo, 2271; Auckland City and Kaikoura,'2ll3; Kaitaia aerodrome, 2102; Highbank, Methven, 2100; Mangere, 2089; Linedin, 2068;

Tekapo had 2412 hours of sun and Nelson was fifth on the list with 2375. Nelson town recorded 35.06 inches of rain over a period of 138 days. Nelson aerodrome had 2340 hours of sun. Napier, which came sixth, had 2355 hours of sunshine and 108 days of rain during which 33.10 inches fell. Auckland with 2113 hours of sunshine tied with Kaikoura for thirteenth place. Christchurch had 1940 hours of sunshine and 122

Taupo, 2059; Ruakura, Hamilton, 2051: Te Paki, 2047; Wellington, 2047; Kerikeri, 2036; Rukuhia, 2021; Whenuapai, aerodrome, 2020; Waingawa, 2011; Ohakea, 2011; New Plymouth, 2010; Waipukurau, 2006; Paraparaumu aerodrome 1981.

Alexandra, 1962: Hanmer Forest, 1961; Whangarei, 1959; Foxton, 1958: Tara Hills, 1951; Christchurch Airport, 1940; Stratford, 1903; Wanganui, 1901; Onawe, Akaroa, 1895. Ashburton, 1886; Whakarewarewa, 1879; Wallaceville, 1867; Haast, 1824; Dannevirke, 1792; Timaru, 1776; Te Kuiti, 1747; Westport Aerodrome, 1747; Palmerston North, 1712; Waimate, 1688; Makara, 1679; Taumarunui, 1648; Hokitika Aerodrome, 1624; Dunedin Airport, 1590: Musselburgh, 1590; Balclutha (Finegand), 1544; Otautau, 1504; The Hermitage (Mount Cook), 1503; Invercargill Airport, 1742.

Rainfall totals and number of rain days were: Kaitaia, 51.58, 179; Kerikeri, 54.20, 157; Whangarei, 51.47, 171; Albert Park, Auckland, 57.76, 189; Tauranga Aerodrome, 50.65, 154; Ruakura. 46.78, 159; Whakatane, 47.92, 132; Whakarewarewa, 59.13, 152; Gisborne Aerodrome, 48.29, 148; Taupo, 45.69, 165; New Plymouth Aerodrome, 58.70, 182; Stratford, 76.19, 188; Ohakune, 59.62, 207; Napier, 33.10, 108; Hastings, 30.64. 132; Wanganui, 35.39, 164; Palmerston North, 42.10, 184; Levin, 41.54, 173; Paraparaumu, 39.84, 176; Wangawa, Masterton, 37.14, 173; Wallaceville, 60.10, 181; Kelburn. 58.51, 165. Nelson Aerodrome, 35.06, 138; Blenheim, 22.41, 111; Kaikoura, 33.10, 128: Westport Aerodrome, 87.78, 200; Hokitika Aerodrome, 11.82, 210; Haast, 145.23, 199; Hanmer Forest, 52.08, 158; Christchurch, 29.07, 122; Ashburton, 30.98, 118; Timaru, 20.17, 112; Fairlie, 31.31, 107; Oamaru, 19.92, 132; Queenstown, 34.47, 136; Alexandra, 15.77, 112; Dunedin, 29.12, 188; Gore, 36.99, 199: Invercargill Airport, 48.74, 213.