Sun on the way after ‘dismal’ summer
South Cantabrians could be forgiven for feeling a little hard done by after a ‘‘dismal’’ summer, but the best of the weather may be just around the corner.
High levels of rainfall for most of the summer have given way to a drier than usual February, according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
The sunshine was set to continue, with high temperatures predicted for the last few days of summer and the first week of autumn.
NIWA climate scientist Nava Fedaeff said rain gauges in Timaru had recorded 36 per cent and 47 per cent of their normal February rainfall respectively by Tuesday.
Over the entire summer, rainfall was sitting at about 88 per cent of its normal levels thanks to a damp start to the season.
While this summer had been ‘‘pretty dismal’’, high pressure systems due to arrive in the next few weeks would bring plenty of warm weather, she said.
Federated Farmers South Canterbury president Mark Adams said things had been looking up for farmers after a ‘‘growthy’’ spring, but consistent nor-west winds had ‘‘taken the guts out of it’’.
‘‘With high temperatures and more wind, you just have to have a lot of rain to break even.
‘‘South Canterbury is still in reasonable shape. It’s just about being mindful around autumn rain.’’
While it may have been dry in Timaru, it has been a chillier start to the year Mackenzie.
Mt Cook Airport recorded the lowest temperature in the country last month, with minus 1.7 degrees Celsius on January 5.
On the same day, Tekapo recorded its third-lowest minimum air temperature since 1925, with -1.5C. Mt Cook Village recorded its second-lowest number of sunshine hours since 1930 in January, with 130.
Further south, Oamaru experienced record wind gusts for January with 98kmh. than usual in
Court case
A South Canterbury firm facing two charges under the Health and Safety Act will appear in court in Timaru on February 28. Felyx Hatherley, 3, was killed at Point Lumber around a year ago. Point Lumber is charged with failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that no action or inaction of any employee, namely stacking lathed posts, harmed any other person, and failing to ensure the safety of its employees.
Camp ground assault
A man was taken to hospital with moderate injuries after an alleged assault at a North Otago camp ground. Two men were arrested following the incident at the Waitaki Waters Holiday Park, just north of Oamaru, about 6.20pm on Monday. A police spokeswoman said a witness reported seeing two men assaulting another man at the camp ground, and that one of the men ‘‘appeared to have what looked like a baton’’. The victim was in his 50s. The alleged offenders, described as being in their 40s, were arrested for disorder. A St John spokesman said the victim was taken to Oamaru Hospital’s emergency department with moderate injuries.
Electrical fire
An electrical fault started a fire in the wall of a James St house in Timaru on Tuesday. Firefighters from Timaru and Washdyke were called to the house about 7.50am after a fire was believed to have started in a meter box, a fire service spokesman said. Alpine Energy was called to make the area safe, and the property was left in the hands of the owner and an electrician, he said.
Fire in farm pit
A Waimate fire crew attended a fire at a farmer’s pit on Waimate Hunter Road at 11.30am yesterday. A fire communications spokesman said the event was ‘‘nothing too significant’’.
Correction
The total fire ban in the Mid-South Canterbury fire district continues. A NZFarmer story published in the Herald yesterday incorrectly referred to ‘‘restrictions’’ when, in fact, the ban imposed as a consequence of the Port Hills fires remained.