2015 sure started with a bang, as warm, dry conditions long outstayed their welcome after a blissful season for many holidaymakers and a traumatic one for many farmers.

Winter started mild too – though by late June we were shivering through some near record low temperatures in parts of the country, and August saw some people making snowmen in our northern climes!

We wanted to know what our readers made of their winter – whether it was underwhelming, horrible, or great – and we received a very clear answer – swinging towards the negative.

Just 18% of voters were happy with the last 3 months, while nearly half of all those who responded said it was ‘so-so.’

The remainder, 35% of New Zealanders rate their winter as either “bad” or “the worst” – perhaps reflective of our farming and growing communities, for whom this winter has been a trial in some regions, to say the least.

One commenter said:

“Frost after frost after frost. Lost numerous plants in the garden, which had survived several previous winters. These frosty mornings did not turn to sunny days as often cloud moved in and kept it cold. A bad winter!“

Here’s hoping spring 2015 will be a much needed upgrade!

– Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz