Dunedin and Balclutha recorded their sunniest October since their respective records began in what has been described as a "spectacularly" sunny month around the country.
The city recorded 245 hours of sunshine, the most since records began 64 years ago, and Balclutha recorded 268 hours, its highest since 1964, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) national climate summary for October shows.
Climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said, overall, October was extremely sunny and dry in most regions, hence Dunedin receiving 156% of its normal sunshine and Balclutha 170%.
More anticyclones covered New Zealand than was typical for the time of year, resulting in a settled climate except for a cold southerly event on October 11 and 12, which brought snow to parts of Otago and Southland.
High winds also affected Otago on October 10, 17 and 19.
Despite Dunedin's sunny conditions, the city recorded its lowest mean minimum daily temperature of 4.1degC since 1947.
However, it also recorded its third-highest mean maximum daily temperature of 17.3degC, 1.3degC above normal, while Cromwell recorded its second highest (19.8degC) and Alexandra its third highest (19.9degC).
Queenstown recorded its fourth-equal lowest daily minimum temperature of -2degC, on October 12, since records began in 1871.
When compared with the six other main centres, Dunedin's mean temperature of 11.3degC was the same as Wellington's and above Christchurch's, which was 10.9degC.
Dunedin's rainfall of 28mm was well below normal (39%), but it was greater than Christchurch's (22mm), Tauranga's (23mm) and Auckland's (24mm).
Niwa's seasonal climate outlook through to December said a moderate to strong La Nina event was under way and could intensify.
It was expected to continue through to autumn 2011.
It predicted Otago temperatures would likely be above average, with rainfall, soil moisture and stream flows near normal or below.
