2 Sep 2008

August definitely was wet

5:17 pm on 2 September 2008

It's official: August had unusually high rainfall.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research says some areas received well above their normal share of rain last month.

That amounted to at least 150% of the usual amount for Canterbury, Tasman and most of the North Island.

The Kaikoura area doubled that, recording at least three times its normal rain tally.

However, sunshine hours were also well above normal for many places.

Gisborne and East Cape had more than 125% of their normal sunshine hours, while Northland, Hawkes Bay and Southland topped 110%.