Cold mornings for Rotorua follow wet May

After a "wetter than normal" but mild May, temperatures in Rotorua are about to drop.

The rainfall for Rotorua reached 212mm last month, 96mm above average, according to data collected at the MetService weather station at Rotorua Airport. The wettest day was May 11 when 64mm fell.

Duty forecaster Angus Hines said much of that rain could be attributed to two events.

"The remnants of tropical cyclone Donna impacted New Zealand on May 11th and 12th, and bought 82mm to Rotorua over two days, and then another low pressure system on the 17th of May bought a further 35mm," he said.

Mr Hines said the city's high rainfall wasn't a surprise as it had been a wet month for most of the North Island.

There were a few cold snaps and frosty mornings as the month progressed, with the temperature dropping into the negatives on May 21.

Looking ahead to the long weekend, Mr Hines said Rotorua could expect more chilly mornings but would dodge most of the rain.

"There will be significant rain about the Coromandel, Auckland and Northland regions Friday and Saturday, Rotorua is far enough south to dodge the worst of it, and may just get the odd shower on Saturday," he said.

"Rotorua should avoid the worst of it, with a lot of the rain anticipated to fall over the ranges in the Gisborne area."

For June on the whole Mr Hines said Rotorua would return to about average rainfall.

"We anticipate slightly below average temperatures, particularly in the first half of the month," he said.

Rotorua weather
Saturday - Cloudy periods, becoming fine in the afternoon. South easterlies. High 14c Low 4c
Sunday - Mainly fine. Southerlies. High 13c Low 2c
Monday - Occasional showers. Light winds. High 11c Low 2c
Tuesday - A few showers, clearing. Light winds. High 13c Low 3c
Wednesday - Fine. Little wind. High 13c Low 2c
Thursday - Fine with light winds. High 12c Low 3c
Friday - Showers with light winds. High 12c Low 4c
- Metservice