Warmer weather expected in Tauranga for the next three months

McKenzie-Lee Dackers and dad Paul are enjoying the break in the weather and look forward to warmer weather in the next few months. Photo / George Novak

October may have got off to a wet start but Tauranga looks set to see warmer weather for the rest of spring and the beginning of summer.

Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino said Tauranga residents could expect above-average temperatures for the three months until December, with temperatures likely to be over 15C.

The average temperature for the three months between October and December is estimated to be 15.9C and Mr Brandolino said there was a "high level of confidence" of warmer temperatures for the city.

The average rainfall for the same timeframe was 256mm and Mr Brandolini said even though temperatures would be warmer, it was unlikely to be drier.

According to MetService, October 1 saw 7.2mm of rainfall in Tauranga but yesterday the weather dried up for a bit.

McKenzie-Lee Dackers, 9, and her dad, Paul Dackers, made the most of the dry afternoon in Tauranga yesterday, walking their dog and playing at Memorial Park.

Mr Dackers said his daughter got bored being stuck inside in the wet weather and they were both looking forward to warmer weather, particularly in the school holidays.

"As long as it's not around 30-plus, high 20s is warm enough," Mr Dackers said.

McKenzie hopes the warm weather will mean plenty of opportunities for outdoor play.

Te Puna Quarry Park volunteer Mary Parkinson said that by this time of year they would have had several monarch butterflies but the recent wet and cooler weather seemed to have slowed the process down.

"Everything slows down in the winter," Mrs Parkinson said.

She is looking forward to the warmer conditions forecast for the next few months in the hope monarchs come flocking.

As temperatures increase so does the risk of fire, with the restricted rural fire season starting on October 1 and running until April 30 next year, which means people need permits to light dried-vegetation fires in the open air and household rubbish fires in rural areas around the Western Bay of Plenty.

Fire and Emergency deputy principal rural fire officer Alan Pearce urged people to use common sense and if in doubt about lighting a fire "don't burn, or put it out".

"Even with a permit people must obey the requirements around safety and fire management, including having water available, locating the fire in a vegetation-free area well away from buildings and having someone supervising the fire at all times," Mr Pearce said.

Permits are essential year-round for all open air fires in rural areas and Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands, with no fire permits issued for the beach reserves and a year-round total fire ban at Mayor Island.

To apply for a fire permit, go to pumicelands.co.nz.