OCTOBER'S WEATHER IN KĀPITI

Murray from Paraparaumu

Kāpiti-Horowhenua experienced the coldest October in a decade, largely due to the persistent nor’westerlies, particularly over the first weeks of the month. Rainfall was again well below average and it was sunnier than usual. We again escaped the severe weather events of some regions, and local warnings again failed to eventuate, although there were a couple of scary wind storms.

The average daily maximum temperature was 17.1 degrees, only three points below average, largely due to an increase in temperatures towards the end of the month. However, eastern areas of central New Zealand were a degree or more warmer due to the same nor-westerlies raising their temperatures. Blenheim had 11 days over 20 degrees, we had one, that on the last day of the month.

Rainfall of around 70 mm was deficient by about 25 percent; not a good sign for summer.

The lack of sunshine early in the month saw an increase later, with the equivalent of 18 sunny days being above average.

With the wind decreasing and increasing sunshine, November could be a summer month (based on a 20 degree temperature average) as it often is, but with an average of 19.3 degrees over the last decade it cannot be guaranteed.