Water restrictions in Northland not on the cards yet for summer

Northland golf supporters Divane Coronel, 17, Shona Thorp, 16, and Jane Thorp, 16, get some shade from Northland's sweltering summer during the Toro Interprovincial Golf tournament in Whangarei yesterday.

The start to summer's looking great in Northland with temperatures expected to hit highs in the mid 20s.

But an unusually drier than normal December will be offset by rain next month that should at least quell fears of widespread water restrictions in Northland.

The Whangarei, Far North and Kaipara district councils are monitoring the dry spell but do not expect dam levels to drop in the first half of this summer.

MetService has predicted daytime temperatures in Northland for most of this month will be 24C to 25C, dropping down to about 17C at night. But elsewhere it's even hotter as a heatwave strikes the country. Yesterday Masterton sweltered on 30C and Blenheim, Christchurch and Alexandra reached 29C.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research predicts most of December will be fairly dry and ocean temperatures are currently 1C to 2C warmer than normal for this time of the year.

Niwa principal scientist weather forecasting Chris Brandolino said the water temperature along Northland's east coast was 19C to 20C while the west coast was slightly lower.

A settled weather, warm air temperature, sunshine, and a lack of wind contributed to the high ocean temperature, he said.

Mr Brandolino said summer rainfall in Northland was predicted to be above normal, particularly in the second half of this season.

"The next couple of weeks will be pretty dry in Northland. Maybe most of this month will be drier than normal but that won't be reflective of the summer outcome."

Although the region would see rain in January, he said humidity may be higher than December. He said more east to northeast wind in January would bring rain.

Whangarei District Council water services' manager Andrew Venmore said both the district's dams at Whau Valley and Ruakaka were more than 90 cent full with a higher than average rainfall in November.

He said there was no likelihood of water restrictions in Whangarei before March next year.

Kaipara District Council is closely monitoring the weather and advising people to conserve water.

Operations' engineer Brian Armstrong said an increase in population and water demand triggered a drop in supply.

He is advising residents not on the treated water network to contact registered private water suppliers.

The Far North District Council has no plans to put in place water restrictions at this stage, apart from the one in South Hokianga. It is investigating an extra water source for Omapere and Opononi residents.

The council also plans to build raw water storage to reduce demand on the Petaka Stream during dry weather, as part of a new water plant for Rawene and Omanaia.

It said extended dry periods were of concern, but decisions on water restrictions were based on river and bore levels, as well as rates of water-use.

Northland Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Julie Jonker said farmers have already started making plenty of silage and hay and planted crops in anticipation of a dry summer.

With a wet winter and a colder than normal spring, she said rain in January would be a welcome relief for farmers.