Otago features frequently in Niwa's 2017 New Zealand Climate Summary, after setting weather records. The summary, which was released yesterday, shows 2017 was the fifth-warmest year on record for New Zealand, based on Niwa's seven-station series, which began in 1909. The October 20 temperature set a monthly record and was also the warmest Cromwell temperature on record between April and October. Oamaru featured in the Niwa statistics because its annual rainfall was 813mm (172% above normal) for 2017 - the second-highest annual rainfall since records began in 1941. Annual sunshine was mainly near normal (90-109% of the annual normal) or above normal (110-124% of the annual normal) throughout New Zealand.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 08, 2018 15:56 UTC