Summer on way but not today

Summer is officially on its way with the daylight hours lengthening after the winter solstice yesterday.

It was the shortest day of the year, the cue for gardeners to get their garlic planted and hardy souls to take their traditional midwinter swim. Workers from the Crown research institute Scion even braved the water in costume.

The water was just 12.3C at Rotorua’s Lake Tikitapu but scientist Garth Weinberg, who organised the Polar Plunge, said there was a record turnout.

Seventy-eight staff took part in honour of Scion’s Lucy Macdonald who died recently of cancer.

The weather wasn’t the best, with heavy fog halting flights in Christchurch and wind forcing Auckland Transport to suspend ferry trips cross the Waitemata Harbour.

Yesterday evening heavy rain was beginning to pelt Westland, where it was expected to accumulate to warning levels of 100mm to 120mm over 15 hours.

A band of rain was also hitting Northland yesterday evening and moving south, with the entire country sitting under a cloud yesterday.

MetService meteorologist Kyle Lee said exposed areas were getting strong winds last night and by today most of the North Island would be wet. From 9am this morning rain would be pelting the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Gisborne until tomorrow, MetService said. Those regions could be saturated by up to 100mm of rain falling over 18 hours with thunderstorms in the mix.

People in these areas, especially trampers, are advised to look out for rapidly rising rivers and streams. Commuters should also take care with slips and surface flooding possible, as well as severe gale watches in Northland and Auckland.

Residents were being warned to batten down the hatches overnight in preparation. A mini-tornado took tiles off a roof in Te Aroha, with the fire brigade putting up a tarpaulin.

The South Island can also expect a rough few days with rain, thunderstorms, gales and even snow.