More showers, wind and few cold snaps on the way

More showers are coming to Rotorua

It was an especially cold and wet July in Rotorua and residents may be looking at a few more weeks of similar weather before the arrival of milder spring conditions.

Readings taken by Springfield-based weatherman Brian Holden show the average temperature this July was 7.3C, compared to the slightly warmer historical norm of 7.9C.

Mr Holden measured total rainfall as 180mm for the month, significantly higher than normal levels of 157mm.

"It was colder than normal and wetter than normal," said Mr Holden. His data also shows there were 13 frosts over the course of the month, including a run of six in a row between July 9 and 14.

Mr Holden said that was "quite a few more frosts than usual".

The lowest temperature recorded was -6C on July 20, although Mr Holden made the point that other areas of the city may have experienced even colder temperatures, and more frosts.

The heaviest shower of the month was on July 15, when 45.1mm of rain fell in a relatively short space of time.

Mr Holden said that had been a significant weather event for Rotorua, but was not particularly striking on a national level.

"We haven't had any flash flooding, and whatever we do get it seems to drain away pretty quickly."

Mr Holden cautioned against expecting too much to change in the short term.

"August is traditionally a bit warmer than July ... but for all practical purposes it might not be that much different."

But there was some hope.

"Going for a walk the other day, I saw daffodil shoots were starting to come out - and that's a sign of spring," Mr Holden said.

"So it's coming, but we have to endure a few more showers and colder weather before then."

Yesterday MetService was forecasting a wet and windy week in Rotorua, with rain expected to fall almost continuously until next Monday.