Hello summer, goodbye summer
Next week, summer is technically over.
But for Taranaki, and most of the country, it’s really only just begun to feel like the sunny season.
With rain, cloud, below average temperatures and cold water, the disappointment has been palpable.
A burst of good weather, which began this week, is forecast to continue - more or less unabated - for the next two months, Niwa meteorologist Seth Carrier said.
He said the average temperature in New Plymouth has risen from a measly 15.9C in January to an average of 17.5C as of February 20.
‘‘It’s quite an improvement since last month,’’ Carrier said.
While the northern half of Taranaki shivered in January, Hawera was practically tropical. The town had an above-average temperature of 17.1C - 0.2C warmer than usual.
But the tables have turned and Hawera’s temperature has plummeted back down to a below average 16.1C in February.
The last two weeks have also seen a rapid rise in sea temperatures, Carrier said.
‘‘The water temperatures just off the coast are above average.’’
Going forward, he said the weather was expected to return to average temperatures and largely be dry and settled.
‘‘It’s going to be very, very benign and tranquil. But we wouldn’t rule out a couple of odd showers.’’
And the warmer weather and water is tempting hundreds of people to head for the beach.
But it’s not all as nice as it seems. Surf lifesaver Todd Velvin said a rip had developed right in front of the access ramp to Fitzroy Beach in New Plymouth and five people had been pulled out of the water by surf life savers who were there training for a national competition.
‘‘It’s becoming quite big and quite dangerous.’’
The people helped had been rescued before they got into serious danger, he said.
‘‘The surf life savers are trained to look for people that are about to get into trouble and get to them before that happens.’’
He said the beaches are unmanned by lifeguards during weekdays. It was only during the school holidays that lifeguards were employed by district councils to patrol the surf.
Voluntary lifeguards are still running on the weekends between 1pm and 5pm but finish on March 13. Velvin said the recommended spot for swimming at Fitzroy Beach at high tide was between the Boardrider’s Club and the Surf Club.
He said a person had also been rescued from a rip at East End.
‘‘There’s a rip that swirls around off the rocks.’’
People needed to check out the beach before they entered the water, he said.
‘‘Look for the big calm spot. It can have criss-crossy waves, be choppy and can look a bit darker in colour from the sand being churned up.
‘‘Find the white, rolling waves and go and swim there instead.’’
He said up until now the summer had been far quieter than usual with the bad weather. ‘‘Because we haven’t had much of a summer, hundreds of people are flocking to the beach to cool off.
‘‘People need to remember to stay within their limits and have someone watching over them, especially young kids and early teens - those 12 and 13 year olds still need a parent or guardian watching over them.’’