Return to top 2. A key feature favouring the very progressive primary industries situated in Canterbury. Rainfall averages 500-1000 mm pa, being driest toward the coast and rising markedly inland, and is generally evenly spread except for the typical hot dry summers. Sunshine hours range 1600-2000 hours per year with inland dry plains exceeding 2000 hours. Most rain derives from the cold southwesterly winds.
Temperature variation is great from coast to alps and season to season.
Mean temperature is 11o-12oC with January and February being the warmest months and July the coldest. Winter frosts from 0o-4oC are common over winter, snows on the Plains are infrequent but can be severe over winter. Overall, a very attractive climate for a wide range of agriculture and horticulture industries. Return to top 3. The greywacke Southern Alps acts as a backbone to the whole South Island and provided the parent material for the soils of the Canterbury Plains.