Nelson is New Zealand’s sunniest spot so far this year, despite a June that brought above-average rainfall, flooding and record-breaking warmth.
The latest monthly climate summary from Earth Sciences New Zealand shows Nelson has recorded 1410 hours of sunshine this year, more than anywhere else in the country. Richmond also ranks in the national top four, with 1334 sunshine hours.
But June was far from settled.
Nelson and Tasman both recorded above-normal rainfall during the month. Heavy rain in early June caused flooding, slips and widespread disruption.
State Highway 60 was closed in several locations between Tākaka and Collingwood, and near Riwaka. State Highway 6 between Pelorus Bridge and Canvastown was also closed because of flooding.
June was also exceptionally mild, according to the report.
New Zealand recorded its warmest June since national records began in 1909, with the nationwide average temperature sitting 1.9 degrees above the 1991–2020 average.
Nelson shared in that warmth, recording its warmest June since local records began in 1862. The city’s average temperature reached 10.7 degrees, 2.2 degrees above normal for the month.
Richmond and Motueka also experienced unusually warm conditions. Richmond recorded its fourth-warmest June on record and its second-highest average daytime temperatures for the month. Motueka also had its fourth-warmest June.
Nelson recorded its third-highest average overnight temperature for June, while Motueka had its fourth-highest.
The warmest overnight temperature recorded in Nelson during the month, 15.6 degrees on Sunday, 2 June, was the highest June daily minimum observed locally, a record stretching back to 1862. Richmond matched that record for its own station.
The report says warm northerly and northwesterly airflows, combined with above-average sea temperatures around New Zealand, contributed to the exceptionally mild conditions experienced across much of the country.
