Remarks on the Weather during 1881
Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute
Appendix


January
Fine weather, small rainfall and moderate winds; temperature
rather below average. Earthquake occurred at Wellington on
3rd, at 8.30am, slight.

February
Remarkably fine throughout; at times very hot; temperature
in excess of average, and very small rainfall; light winds.

March
Very warm and fine weather experienced; little rain, generally
clear and bright, and moderate winds. Meteor observed in North
on 27th.

April
Fine weather, with little rain, except in the South, where it
was rather in excess. Temperature above the average, and high
barometer. Winds moderate and variable. On the 8th, at Castle
Hill, Canterbury, smart shock of earthquake reported at 6.45pm.

May
Fine weather throughout, rain below average and temperature
above; barometric pressure high. Winds moderate from NW and SW.
Thunder at times. On 6th smart shock of earthquake reported at
Castle Hill, Canterbury, at 6.45pm; also on 14th, same place,
at 11pm, slight; and 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, in Nelson District.

June
This has been a wet stormy month throughout; rainfall
considerably over the average. A rather severe earthquake was
experienced throughout the colony, on the 26th about 5.25am,
followed by slight movements up to morning of 27th; another
shock was felt on 29th, but slight.

July
Early part of month generally fine, wind northerly, but latter
part showery, very heavy rain occurring at Wellington; wind
chiefly SW during this period; temperature in excess of average;
earthquake at Wellington on 6th, at 5.15am, and 12th, at 2.51am,
both slight.

August
Showery and rather squally weather experienced; wind chiefly SW;
rainfall slightly in excess, and temperature above the average,
not severe for the time of year; earthquake on 8th, at
Wellington, at 10.25am, very slight.

September
On the whole fine mild weather, with moderate rainfall, at times
sudden changes from NW to SE, bringing rain, wind, hail, and
slight thunder, but no severe gales were experienced. Earthquake
at Wellington on 1st, at 2.25am, smart; on 14th, at 7.30am,
slight; and on 15th, at 7.37pm, very slight.

October
Fine weather, with moderate NW and SW winds, and small rainfall.

November
Except in the north the rainfall has been under the average and
the weather on the whole fine, with moderate SW and W winds
prevailing.

December
On the whole a wet month, with at times strong winds, chiefly
from SW and NW, and occasional thunder. Earthquakes occurred at
Wellington on 3rd at 6.30am, slight; on 23rd at 7.13am and
10.54pm, E to W, slight; and 31st at 1pm, slight; at Lincoln
on 5th at 7.37am, on 6th at 5.6am, and 9th at 5.22am, all
slight; at Dunedin a slight shock on 5th.