Queenstown and the Hakataramea Valley recorded some of the lowest temperatures in New Zealand last month, while the rest of Otago experienced usual or near usual conditions for the time of year.
Hakataramea, near Kurow, recorded the lowest minimum temperature for the country with -2.8degC on March 22, a Niwa climate report shows.
Queenstown recorded its lowest March temperature since records began in 1871 of -1.3degC, also on March 22.
The national average temperature of 15degC was 0.6degC below the long-term average compared to Dunedin's 13degC average which was -0.4degC of average.
Dunedin's rainfall was below usual at 59mm (85% of usual) while most of the country's other cities were well below usual.
Cromwell was the only town in the region to experience record low rainfall for the month with only 7mm (15% of usual), the lowest since records began in 1949.
Niwa principal scientist Dr James Renwick said March was dominated by the slow passage of highs which frequently stalled over the Tasman Sea resulting in south to southwesterly airflows which contributed to the cooler than usual temperatures.
The seasonal outlook for the next three months suggested the weather in Otago would be similar.
East Otago was expected to experience average or above-average temperatures from April to June and rainfall was likely to be below the usual.
Inland Otago was predicted to have above average temperatures and rainfall was likely to be below usual.
