Current Climate - July 2012
July started unusually cold and dry, due to winter time anticyclones or ridges prevailing over the country during the first half of the month, bringing clear skies, light winds and a recipe for frost. Frosts during the period 1 July to 5 July were particularly severe. In stark contrast, northwest winds produced unusual warmth in eastern areas mid-month. During the last two weeks of July, lows dominated over the north Tasman Sea, bringing unusually mild conditions, northeast winds and high rainfall to northern and eastern regions of the North Island, as well as Nelson/Marlborough.
For the month as a whole, higher than normal pressures were observed over New Zealand and to the southeast, with lower pressures than usual over the north Tasman Sea. This resulted in more northeast winds than usual over the North Island.