It was a dry, cool April in Otago, with Ranfurly recording the country's lowest temperature of -5.9degC during an unusually cold event for the time of year.
April had more southeast winds than usual, producing high rainfall for the North Island and below-average temperatures in most eastern areas, National Institute of Atmospheric Research (Niwa) climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said in the April climate summary.
April mean temperatures were below average in most eastern areas of the country including coastal Otago, with Dunedin recording a mean temperature of 11.6degC, 0.3degC below average and 0.3deg higher than Christchurch.
"A ridge of high pressure over the South Island brought frosty conditions during the period 27-29 April [in] multiple South Island locations with associated unusually low morning minimum air temperatures."
Extreme daily minimum temperatures were recorded throughout Otago on April 28. Queenstown recorded its lowest April minimum of -4.5degC, Dunedin 0.5degC (its fourth-lowest), Alexandra -4.4degC (its equal second-lowest) and Balclutha -3.1degC (its second-lowest).
While treble the amount of rainfall was experienced in the Hawkes Bay, it was a relatively dry month for the west and south of the South Island, yet many eastern regions also had unusually wet soil moisture levels, Ms Griffiths said.
Dunedin recorded 44mm of rain (75% of normal), well down on Christchurch's 51mm, Wellington's 162mm and Auckland's 158mm.
Its sunshine hours were near normal at 129, but Balclutha recorded its fourth-highest sunshine hours of 149 (130% of normal).
Niwa is predicting a mild, early winter with cold snaps occurring from time to time.
The La Nina weather pattern would continue to weaken and rainfall, river levels and soil moisture levels were expected to be normal or below in the South.
