Remarks on the Weather during 1877
Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute
Appendix


January
Wet, stormy, and unpleasant weather generally experienced
throughout; wind prevailing from westward, and frequent
thunder-storms. Earthquake reported by observer at Wellington
on 10th, at 9.58pm, sharp, from SE.

February
During the first half of month the weather throughout was
exceedingly wet and stormy, with thunder; floods occurred at
several places throughout the colony; the latter part was fine
generally. Earthquakes reported by observers at Wellington on
9th, at 6.49pm, slight, 4 secs., from SE, and on 10th at 8.49pm,
slight, 2 secs., from E.; at Manawatu, 5th 10.24pm, sharp,
preceded by slight noise; Governor's Bay, 2nd, at 10.10pm, SW;
Wanganui, night of 7th, loud rumble.

March
With the exception of the heavy fall of rain at Mongonui between
the 6th and 17th, the weather throughout during this period was
exceedingly fine, with a remarkably small rainfall and generally
light winds.

April
With few exceptions the weather during this period was fine for
time of the year, with little rain, and no storms of any
violence. The temperature was, however, rather below the average
throughout. The Queenstown observer reports a smart shock of
earthquake in neighbourhood of Skipper's, Upper Shotover, about
the 13th.

May
With few exceptions the weather has been very wet and boisterous
throughout the month, accompanied by thunder and hail storms,
and excessive falls of rain; the wind was principally westerly;
the barometer and thermometer readings were below the average.
Earthquakes were reported by observers at Taranaki on 8th at
7.20am; and at Queenstown on 2nd, slight. A tidal disturbance
was observed at many of the stations on the East Coast on the
11th. A brilliant meteor was observed in the extreme North on
the 11th, and one at Lyttelton on the 15th.

June
Except in the interior and on the West Coast of the South
Island, the rainfall has been small for the time of year, and
on the whole fine weather was experienced.

July
Very fine weather generally throughout for time of year; small
rainfall and moderate winds; exceeding high barometric pressure;
temperature below the average. Earthquakes felt at Wellington,
4th, at 4.27pm, N to S., slight; and on 16th, slight double
shock, between 10 and 11pm; at Nelson, on 4th, at 4.20pm, sharp,
and at Westport, at 3.30pm, smart.

August
About the average weather for the time of year; the rain at most
stations less than usual for this month, and no violent storms
occurred; the temperature rather high. Earthquakes felt at
Wanganui, on 11th, at 6.30am, slight; Wellington, same date, and
about same hour, slight; at Queenstown, a slight shock reported
on 14th, at 6am.

September
Very small rainfall during this month as compared with that for
same period in former years; the atmospheric pressure was
generally higher, and the temperature about the average on the
whole; some strong winds were experienced from westward, but
generally the weather for the time of year was fine. Earthquakes
were felt at Wellington, on the 15th, between 8 and 9am, slight;
on 22nd, at 4.40pm, two smart shocks with rumbling noise; and
on 29th, at 1.50am, a slight movement; also at Rakaia, on 16th,
a shock reported.

October
Generally fine and dry early part of month, but during latter
half, at most of the stations, wet unpleasant weather was
experienced, with much snow and thunder, and some strong SW 
gales. Earthquakes at Napier, on 25th, at 8.40pm, smart; at
Wellington, on 10th, slight shock at 8.53pm; at Timaru and
Waimate, on 10th, at night; at Dunedin, on 9th, shock reported.

November
During early part of month strong westerly gale experienced at
almost all stations, accompanied at most places with heavy rain,
hail, and thunder, causing floods; the latter part of month
generally fine and pleasant; except at one or two localities
the rain was under the average. Earthquakes felt at Wellington,
on 6th, at 9.10am, slight; and on 7th at 8.21pm, slight; at
Kaiapoi and Rangiora, on 21st.

December
Fine weather generally experienced during this month, although
at some of the stations, especially in the South, the rain was
in excess of average. Westerly winds prevailed, and on the 6th
a storm from that quarter was felt at many places; the
temperature was on the whole about the average. An earthquake at
Taupo was reported by telegram on 8th, at 4.15am, smart.