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Climate figures show last month was the coldest June in 34 years.
The national average temperature was just 7.3C which is 1.2C colder than normal and the coldest since 1972 when the temperature was a chilly 6.7C.
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
scientists say this was due to two severe winter snowstorms
accompanied by bitterly cold conditions, and later heavy
frost.
One snowstorm which hit Canterbury over June 11-12 produced snow
depths of up to 90cm and parts of Canterbury and North Otago
recorded their lowest average temperatures in 50 years.
Ridges of high pressure extending into the south Tasman Sea resulted in frequent cold southerly winds over New Zealand.
However, NIWA climate scientist Jim Salinger says last month was also the sunniest June on record for Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki and coastal Otago.
The highest temperatures recorded during June 2006 were 20.5C recorded at both Kaikoura and Hastings while the lowest air temperatures for the month were -14.0C recorded at both Tara Hills, Omarama and Fairlie.
Of the main centres, Christchurch was the driest, Wellington the wettest, Auckland the sunniest and Christchurch the coldest.
Rainfall was above average in Christchurch, below average in Dunedin, and near average in Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington. Temperatures were below average in all five main centres.
