Spring time in Otago was one of record breaking cold and dry weather.
Ranfurly experienced its driest spring in about 70 years and Dunedin, Queenstown and Wanaka all experienced some of the lowest rainfalls since their records began more than 80 years ago, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) spring national climate summary shows.
The records are based on temperature and rainfall readings from September to the end of November.
Spring temperatures were also record breaking, with Dunedin experiencing its hottest spring day (31.1degC ) since 1947 on November 23 and also the coldest spring minimum temperatures on record.
Climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said spring 2009 was characterised by stronger than normal southwest winds over New Zealand, caused by lower pressures to the southeast of the South Island consistent with El Nino.
The New Zealand national average temperature for spring was 11.6degC (0.4degC below the long-term seasonal average).
Of the six main centres, Dunedin was the driest, Christchurch the sunniest and coolest, Wellington the wettest and Tauranga the warmest.
The low spring minimum temperature records recorded across New Zealand from September 4-6, were caused by an intense slow moving anticyclone lying over the country which brought clear skies, light winds and extreme frost conditions, she said.
In contrast, record high morning temperatures were experienced from November 21-24, caused by strong northwesterly winds, with Balclutha also reaching its second highest temperature (27.6degC) on the 23rd, she said.
Low spring mean minimum daily temperatures were recorded at Dunedin - 4.4degC, the lowest since records began in 1947 - and Queenstown - 3.8degC, the second lowest since 1871.
Balclutha recorded its second lowest mean maximum daily temperature of 14.2degC since records began in 1964.
Spring rainfall was below normal over much of the South Island with totals often less than 50% of spring normal along the Main Divide, in the lakes district and Otago, she said.
Wanaka recorded 56mm, 30% of its normal rainfall and the second lowest since records began in 1927; Ranfurly 40mm, 39% of normal and the lowest since 1943; Dunedin 99mm, 59% of normal and fourth lowest since 1947; and Queenstown 80mm, 44% of normal and the fourth lowest since 1871.
rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz