There have been some colourful events looking back at this week in history in regards to New Zealand weather. From heatwaves to floods – it’s been an active time.

Feb 12,13 & 14 1934
Northern parts of Auckland had a rough ride as heavy rain over three days saw floodwaters blocking roads and bridges struggling with the volume of water.Some bridges couldn’t cope and were badly damaged.
The good news was that the water receded very quickly and the clean up operation and repairs got underway. 

Feb 17 1978
Some boaties were surprised across Manakau harbour. A waterspout had appeared and was travelling at quite a rate of knots in an easterly direction.It was a shortlived event but one that lived long in the memory for those who saw it.

Feb 16 1979
The lowest ever Mainland air pressure recording for February took place in Queenstown. The barometer dropped to the stormy section on the glass with a reading of 985.2 hPa.

Early Feb 1982
Hot conditions prevailed over parts of Canterbury & Otago with 36.6 degrees recorded at Timaru. Under cloudless skies the thermometer was above 30 degrees at 9am and a gentle nor’ west breeze saw some areas nudge 40 degrees in outlying suburbs.Christchurch also sizzled with a maximum of 37 degrees and the following day both cities recorded top temperatures of 34 degrees.

Early Feb 2011
February is proving to be a hot month in the Riviera of the south, Timaru. The thermometer at Timaru Airport peaked at 40.3 degrees whereas the reading in the Gardens was one degree higher at 41.3 degrees.
It was the fourth time in the nations history that 40 degrees or more had been recorded and just 1.1 degree lower
than the national record.

Homepage image of an approaching front in Timaru

WeatherWatch.co.nz