Balmy start to autumn likely

A mild start to autumn is on the cards, but there is a 70 per cent chance of a cyclone in the next three months, says Niwa.

Its outlook for February-April predicts a mild start to autumn, with average or above average temperatures and light westerlies.

Although there may be cold spells, temperatures should be relatively mild overall.

Normal cyclone activity is expected for the season through to April, meaning a 70 per cent chance of a cyclone affecting the country between now and April, says the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.

Regional predictions for the next three months:

* Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty: Above-average temperatures and near normal rainfall. Normal stream flows and soil moisture.

* Central North Island, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington: Average or above-average temperatures, normal or below-normal rainfall and soil moisture levels, and below-normal stream flows.

* Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa: Average or above-average temperatures, normal rainfall with normal soil moisture levels and stream flows.

* Nelson, Marlborough, Buller: Average or above-average temperatures, with normal rainfall, soil moisture levels and stream flows.

* West Coast, alps and foothills, inland Otago, Southland: Average or above-average temperatures with near-normal rainfall, normal soil moisture levels and stream flows.

* Coastal Canterbury, East Otago: Near-average temperatures with normal or below-normal rainfall and soil moisture levels and below-normal stream flows.

Meanwhile, the MetService predicts rain for central New Zealand this week, which will be welcome in Marlborough and Kapiti, but also some unwelcome thunderstorms and hail.

"Thunderstorms follow the rain," said weather ambassador Bob McDavitt, predicting squalls and storms today for a large area stretching from Buller and Marlborough to Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

The low should move off to the east tomorrow, allowing cooler southerlies to bring wet weather to eastern areas such as Marlborough, Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay with thunderstorms lingering over the central North Island and in Gisborne.

"The weather will be clearing over the North Island for a time on Friday, but showery periods are likely for the coming weekend." 
 

Westport getting desperate as rain refuses to arrive

Westport has only about nine days of water left in its creek-fed reservoir as the town faces its most serious water shortage in more than 20 years.

The Buller District Council yesterday began switching Westport and Carters Beach water to low pressure from 9am to 4pm daily.

The council is looking at repairing long-disused water races to feed another creek into the water treatment plant. But operations manager Stephen Griffin said that would only supplement the already low supply.

"We will still be on low pressure until we get some decent rainfall."

The fine weather forecast was a worry.

"There's a bit of rain forecast for tonight and tomorrow, but then the long-term horizon is not looking very bright."

Westport last had significant rainfall - 76.4mm - on January 18. Since then the town has had just 7mm.

The council has already enforced water restrictions twice this summer.

Mr Griffin said a warning last week that supplies were running low had no impact and water consumption increased.

But it is understood many consumers were unaware of the problem as the council had run only one newspaper advertisement about it.

Westport fire chief Pat O'Dea said the low pressure was a worry, but firefighters could tap into two mains at once if necessary, and use pumps to boost supplies.

- NZPA