NZ Weather Forum

I read that parts of Banks Peninsula had a better climate than the garden city due to places like Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours being greatly sheltered from southerly and easterly winds resulting in a "submediterranean" climate.

Would this be true?

Thats hilariously false. The shape and orientation of Lyttelton enhances the northeast wind there, and the same is true for Akaroa in a southerly. In the reverse situation, Lyttelton can get very gusty southwest changes but it is the case that Akaroa is more sheltered in northeast flow and generally warmer than the city. However, most of the "sub mediterranean" climates in the Peninsula (and there are some areas which might qualify) are in the valleys away from the two main harbours. There are certainly locations on the Peninsula which are warmer and probably sunnier than Christchurch city but I doubt anyone from the Mediterranean would be impressed.

I forget the website's name, but it might have been a promo website for the Peninsula. I came across that info back in 2004

Did a lot of sailing in Lyttleton harbour and boy is it exposed in a NE and SW.

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The boat arena in the inner harbour has suffered damage from southerly storms in the past.

The valleys along the southwest side of the peninsula (eg Kaituna Valley) tend to funnel northeasterly winds - I've experienced these gusty winds at the valley mouths along SH75, while nearby areas have lesser winds.

I also think that BP would be wetter than chc, btw absolutely zero research done just my observations!

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When I was in Christchurch a couple of years ago we went out to Brighton Beach and it was low overcast, with a cold NE wind. Went to Governors Bay and it was clear 25C.

Yes, you can get those cold and cloudy ENE days but with clear skies to the south.
That's what I used to call the "NE Kink".

I like the term "sub mediterranean" . That's a good way for a town to promote its climate!