Temperature extremes provided for a mild, dry Otago last month, and Queenstown experienced its sunniest July in about 80 years.
While the first half of July was unusually cold and dry, with some severe frosts, the second half was unusually warm, Niwa climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said.
The monthly climate summary showed the conditions produced some near-record monthly average maximum temperatures. Nationally, it was 8.4degC, 0.4degC above average.
In Otago, Ranfurly recorded 9.9degC, its second-highest average maximum since records began in 1975 and 2.7degC higher than normal.
Dunedin recorded 11.4degC, 1.4degC warmer than average.
Near-record daily maximum temperatures were recorded on the 18th in Dunedin (18.4degC, fourth-highest), Tara Hills (15.1degC, equal fourth-highest) and Lauder (17.1degC, equal third-highest).
The frosts produced near-record daily minimum temperatures in Ranfurly, which recorded -11.3degC on the 2nd, the lowest national temperature recorded in July and its second-lowest minimum, Queenstown -7.7degC on the 5th, (fourth lowest), Alexandra -8.9degC on the 2nd (second lowest) and Balclutha -6degC on the 2nd, (equal second lowest).
Alexandra also recorded its fourth-lowest daily maximum of -1.9degC on the 5th.
It was also extremely sunny in western and alpine areas and Queenstown benefited with 159 hours of sunshine, 180% of normal and the highest since 1930.
The rain came late in the month, producing third-highest one-day extreme rainfall in Cromwell and Haast, with 35mm and 114mm respectively.
It also ended what was, until the last few days of the month, looking like a record three-month dry spell for North Otago.
However, it did not impact on Dunedin's rankings with the country's six main centres. It was the driest of them all, recording 47mm, 83% of normal.
The city's mean temperature was 7.5degC (1deg warmer than normal) and above 6degC in Christchurch.
It also experienced 121 hours of sunshine (110% of normal) more than 117 hours in Christchurch and 101 hours in Wellington.
Niwa is predicting similar conditions for the next few months. Spring temperatures are expected to be warmer than normal, but with occasional cold snaps, frosts and snowfall.
Rainfall, soil moisture and river flows are likely to be below normal along the South Island east coast.
