July was a tumultuous month due to the passage of several active low pressure systems and consequently there were numerous high impact weather events throughout the month.

The lower pressure than normal over the country led to more south-westerlies than normal across the North Island and more north-easterlies than usual across the South Island.

July temperatures were near average for much of the country. Temperatures were below average about the districts of Hurunui, Mackenzie, Waitaki, Dunedin and Clutha as well as eastern Southland. Pockets of above average temperature were observed in the Waikato and Manawatu-Whanganui.

Rainfall was well above normal for the Greater Wellington Region, Otago and mid to south Canterbury. Rainfall was above normal for large parts of the North Island and Nelson. Below normal rainfall was observed in parts of Northland, the West Coast, western Southland and western Otago.

July sunshine hours were near normal for much of the country. The exceptions to this were parts of Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson and Christchurch where below normal or well below normal sunshine was observed.

Outlook for August to October

Temperatures are forecast to be above average for all regions of New Zealand, with high confidence. Nevertheless, frosts and cold snaps will occur during the remainder of winter and in early spring. Coastal water temperatures around New Zealand are forecast to remain above average over the next three-month period.

Rainfall totals are most likely to be near normal for the east of the South Island, and about equally likely to be near normal or above normal for all remaining regions of New Zealand.

Soil moisture levels and river flows are most likely to be near normal in the west of the North Island and the west and east of the South Island. In the north and east of the North Island, soil moisture levels and river flows are about equally likely to be near normal or above normal. In the north of the South Island, soil moisture levels are about equally likely to be near normal or above normal, and river flows most likely to be in the near normal range.