This was especially notable in the west and south of the South Island and the west and centre of the North Island. The dominant southwesterlies also influenced rainfall patterns, while some intense storms delivered heavy rain to the South Island and lower North Island. Parts of the south and west North Island also recorded above-normal or well-above-normal rainfall. In stark contrast was the east of the North Island, where record low rainfall was experienced. Most sites recorded near normal sunshine for January (90 to 109 per cent of the January normal).

Source: Otago Daily Times February 03, 2017 03:45 UTC