New Zealand lies within the temperate zone: the climate
is generally mild and moist, and seasonal differences
are not great. Northland has the warmest climate; the
south-western slopes of the Southern Alps, the coldest.
Rainfall is generally moderate to abundant and, except
in a small area in central Otago and Canterbury on
the South Island, measures approximately 1,585 mm (62
in) annually. The heaviest rainfall (6,385 mm/249 in)
occurs around Milford Sound on the south-western coast
of the South Island. The average temperature at Wellington
varies between 20.1° C (68° F) in January,
the warmest month, and 5.6° C (42° F) in July,
the coldest; the average rainfall is 1,230 mm (48y
in). In Auckland, January and July temperatures average
23.4° C (74° F) and 7.8° C (46° F)
respectively; average annual rainfall is 1,185 mm (46?
in).
|
