Remarks on the Weather during 1880
Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute
Appendix


January
Very fine, bright, warm weather generally experienced, the
temperature being rather above the average. Rain about the
average, but chiefly occurring during middle of month. Winds
moderate on the whole. Earthquake at Queenstown on 9th, at
12.15pm, slight.

February
Remarkably fine, warm, weather throughout; temperature greatly
in excess of average, and rainfall much less. Winds moderate;
very high atmospheric pressure. Earthquake felt at Napier on
the 10th, at 1pm, slight, and at Hokitika on 22nd, at 9.30pm,
slight. A large comet observed in SW on 2nd, and visible for
many days; several meteors observed during this period.

March
At some stations exceedingly fine with little rain, while at
others the rain was in excess and the temperature throughout
high. The winds were on the whole moderate, and the weather
generally agreeable. At some places it was very warm and sultry.
Earthquakes at Wanganui on 10th, 5.30am, sharp with noise, and
11th, at 11.20pm, long heavy roll and noise; at Christchurch,
early on 6th, smart, N to S; at Dunedin on 5th; at Queenstown
on 4th, at 11.51am, smart, and on 5th, at 12.35am.

April
Fine, bright, dry weather almost throughout; remarkably high
atmospheric pressure and high temperature; very small rainfall;
moderate winds. Earthquakes reported at Wanganui on the 17th,
slight shock; at Wellington on 20th, at 12.39pm, a noise
followed by a smart shake N to S; at Queenstown on 29th, at
2.30am, sharp. Meteors observed on 10th, 18th and 23rd.

May
Generally stormy, wet, and unpleasant weather experienced
throughout during this period, with much thunder and hail at
several stations; in most places the rain was greatly in excess,
but the temperature was generally high; the atmospheric pressure
was low throughout. Earthquakes reported at Wanganui on 9th, two
shakes at 8pm and 8.10pm, smart; at Queenstown on 4th, at 4.45am,
and on 27th, at 11.30am, both slight.

June
For the time of year the weather throughout has been mild, with
generally small rainfall and moderate winds; at some of the
southern stations unusually fine. Earthquake at Queenstown on
8th, at 6.30pm, slight.

July
Although the rain has been in excess at most places, and some
strong gales have occurred, yet on the whole the weather has
been mild, and at times very pleasant for the time of year.
Earthquakes at Wanganui on 4th at 10pm, and 28th, at 5.12pm,
very sharp; at Wellington on 28th at 5.15pm, smart; at Nelson
on 28th, at 5.5pm, slight; at New Plymouth on 28th at 5.12pm,
sharp; and at Hokitika on 12th, at 11.30pm, slight, NW to SE.
Also, by telegram, earthquakes reported as occurring on 28th,
at Napier, Waipawa and Porangahau, at about 5.15pm, severe;
at Bull's at 5.14pm, direction NW to SE, very heavy shake
preceded by loud noise; Palmerston North at 5.13pm, sharp;
Foxton at 5.13pm, sharp; Turakina at 5.13pm, violent, shake
lasting some time. On the 31st at Gisborne, two shocks at 1.18
and 1.25am, NE to W, severe.

August
About average weather for the time of year, the winds rather
high and chiefly from W; a good deal of thunder; rain and
temperature, on the whole about the average. Earthquakes:
Wellington, on 4th, at 2.57am, two smart movements; Blenheim,
on 4th at 2.56am, sharp. Meteors, Mongonui, 19th, large,
Dunedin on 2nd.

September
Remarkably fine and pleasant weather for time of year. In every
case the temperature is above the average; the rainfall on the
whole is much less than is usual for this month. Winds generally
moderate.

October
Rainfall in the North generally in excess of average, while in
the South, it was less than usual; but for the time of year the
weather has been fine throughout.

November
The weather throughout was fine and seasonable with a rather
higher temperature than usual, and about the average rainfall.
The winds were principally northerly, and with few exceptions
moderate. Earthquakes occurred at Wanganui on 27th, slight, at
1.15pm, and Nelson on 27th in afternoon, slight.

December
On the whole rather unpleasant stormy weather throughout for the
time of year, with much thunder, hail and rain. In the South it
was very unseasonable.