John Maunder

The weather of the past : July 27 1863, July 28 1939, and July 1993

Each day the New Zealand Herald publishes “On this day” which relates to the weather on that day in the past.

In view of recent weather events, these excerpts over the last 160 years are noteworthy…

July 27 1863

Over 100 lives were lost during a six-week period and major flooding of the Clutha River and its tributaries.

July 28 1939

It was an extremely cold night in Auckland. Constables reported a light fall of snow in the city at an early hour and some workers on their way to work  “had the unique experience in these latitudes of having their clothes likely covered with flakes”.

July 1993

July 1993 was a very dry month over much of the country, Christchurch recorded only 1 mm during the month. Hastings 10mm, New Plymouth 11 mm, and Motueka 12mm.


For further information on a range of weather and climate matters see my recent book Fifteen shades of climate… the fall of the weather dice and the butterfly effect. Available from Amazon.


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