Remarks on the Weather during 1881
Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 1881
Notes upon the great Floods of February 1868 by W. T. L.
TRAVERS, F.L.S.


Extracts from the official Meteorological Reports for Feb, 1868.

The rainfall, especially in the earlier part of the month,
was excessive in some districts. A storm, which commenced on
the 3rd, appears to have backed round from north, through east,
when the rainfall from this unusual quarter was productive of
the most disastrous floods which have been recorded in the
colony, and which devastated the eastern districts of the South
Island.

Taranaki
On 2nd, barometer 29.628, wind SE; but scud coming from E and NE,
threatening rain and wind; at 3pm barometer falling, wind SE and
rising, evening wild looking, with heavy rain; at 10pm barometer
28.80. On 3rd, gale from SE, with thunder and lightening; about
two inches of rain fell during night; wind changed to SW, and
violent gale blew, breaking the anemometer; a maximum pressure
of 18 lbs. to square foot was registered; barometer commenced
to rise; at 4pm gale continued, with heavy squalls of rain,
hail, thunder, and lightening, but moderated winds towards
morning. It continued stormy up to 8th.

Wellington
On 3rd, very low barometer, strong wind from E; at 3pm, barometer
28.754; at 4.15pm rose rapidly, wind shifting round to S,
through E; no rain to speak of at this period.

Nelson
A storm commenced on 3rd, wind SE; on 4th, wind NE; and on 5th,
N; the rainfall on the 5th, for 24 hours previous, was 7.03
inches; from 3rd to 5th the rainfall was 12.88 inches; barometer
down to 28.83 inches.

Christchurch
Disastrous and unparalleled floods occurred throughout the
eastern portion of the Province of Canterbury on 2nd, 3rd and
4th. The rainfall at Mount Peel was 8.08 inches in 24 hours,
ending at 12pm on the 3rd. In Christchurch the rain was heavy,
but not so severe as the above.

Hokitika
On the 3rd a heavy SE gale experienced, but no great rain.

Dunedin
On 3rd, a storm from SE; 1.37 inches rain, recorded on 4th, for
previous 24 hours. There were great floods all over the Province,
doing much damage.

Southland
Gale occurred on 3rd and 4th from ESE, but no rain.


Total rain (in inches) for Month of February 1868, compared with 
averages for same month previous years.

		Feb 1868	Previous Years
Taranaki	6.07		3.67
Wellington	8.76		3.28
Nelson		19.95		6.43
Christchurch	5.66		1.25
Dunedin		5.07		2.35