December: Dry, Mild and Cloudy
December in Kāpiti, had average temperatures and its usual low rainfall for that month, but was considerably less sunny than normal. We ended another year again avoiding any extreme weather.
Our daily average maximum temperature was 21.5C, almost, exactly the month’s longtime average of 21.6, which we would have reached had not the last day of the month been unusually cool. This December was very slightly warmer than 2023. The highest temperature was 27C on Dec. 21, and there were only five days that didn’t reach 20C.
Rainfall over the district was unusually variable and associated with thunder storms on several occasions, one of which totally missed eastern Paraparaumu, resulting in it recording 10mm less rain than Waikanae for the month. The official monthly total recorded at the airport was 76mm, at Waikanae 84mm and at my place (Paraparaumu) 73mm. The historic average (airport) is 78mm. The frequency of forecasters predicting possible showers and rain watches continued, mostly without any worthwhile rain eventuating.
The equivalent of only 14.5 sunny days was the lowest in a decade, with almost every day beginning with cloud, and frequently with a trace of drizzle that took most of the morning to burn-off.
Records show January (our driest month) should see even less rain, amounting to only 45mm and temperatures averaging 23C with 18 sunny days.
The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand
Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!
Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here
The Team at Stuff
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.1% Yes! New Year, New Me
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19.5% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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70.4% Nah - not for me
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