Taupō residents can look forward to significant rainfall this week, bringing welcome moisture to the region after an extended dry spell.
Philip Duncan, Head Forecaster at weatherwatch.co.nz, says the area has been experiencing "very dry to extremely dry" conditions, but relief is on the way.
"From a rain point of view, you guys have missed out on wet weather. The good news is we've got some coming this week and it could be a really good amount. We could be getting, you know, 40 millimetres or more, and then perhaps another 10 to 15 in the following week, or more than that even," Duncan told Lake FM's breakfast host Jesse Archer.
This forecast will be particularly welcome news for local dairy farmers, some of whom have adjusted their calving seasons to accommodate the region's typically dry conditions in the early months of the year.
"Some farmers are drying off around December, Christmas, and then they kickstart again now," noted Archer during the interview, highlighting how local agricultural practices have adapted to Taupō's unique climate patterns.
Looking ahead to next weekend's Supercars event in Taupō, Duncan forecasts ideal conditions. A high-pressure system will bring mostly sunny weather, though with noticeably cooler autumn temperatures.
"Next weekend, exactly what you want for Supercars... we are looking at a mostly sunny weekend where the temperatures are down a bit, but it's that beautiful sort of lovely sunny autumn afternoon," Duncan said.
The forecaster noted that a significant seasonal shift is approaching. "Next week, we go properly into autumn. You're going to feel sort of more autumnal temperatures," he explained. Overnight temperatures will drop dramatically by late next week, with Friday night lows expected to fall from 15 degrees this week to just 6 degrees by the following Friday.
While there may be "a couple of showers" next weekend, Duncan doesn't see these as "being a real issue" for the supercars event, with most rainfall activity expected to be "more over on the Hawke's Bay side of things."
