DECEMBER
December continued the pattern of disturbed weather with just eight dry days toward the beginning of the month but very wet days during the latter half. It was the wettest December I have recorded with a total of 155.1mm, which is 175% of the long-term average (+67mm). There were five days with totals in double figures, the highest being 28.0mm on the 19th. Due to the predominantly overcast conditions the mean temperature was 0.3C above the long-term average. There were 11 days with air frost, the most severe occurring on the 12th when the thermometer dropped to -6.3C. The last four days of the month were very windy with gusts exceeding 30mph every day.
YEAR 2012
Rainfall: This was the most memorable feature of 2012 with the wettest spring, summer and autumn seasons on record. After a very dry start to the year there were 7 months when the monthly average was greatly exceeded. It was the second wettest year after 2002 (1146mm) with a total of 1112mm, which is 135% of the long-term average and +279mm. The wet and overcast conditions were brought about by frequent depressions crossing the country and record low pressures were noted for April, September and December. September 23rd brought the wettest day with a total of 31.7mm. The number of dry days, at 133, was the second lowest after 131 in 1998. There was a record of 45 days with daily totals exceeding 10mm, previously held in 2000 with 41.
Temperature: There were seven months when the mean temperature was below the long-term average. A record minimum for February was recorded on the 11th when the thermometer dropped to -13.8C. There were only brief glimpses of real summer weather such as the third week in August when it was dry for several days, maxima reached into the high twenties and a maximum of 29.4C was noted during August 25th. The total number of air frosts, at 64, was close to the average of 61 since 1984.
Diurnal Temperatures: It is interesting to note that the trend for the daily range of temperatures in December has increased by approximately 4C since the 1980.
Unusual Occurrence: A wind funnel was observed for the first time at this station on 5th July, to the north of Marlborough, lasting for over 10 minutes.
