Forget frost, warmer days on the way

Aerial view of Pohutu Geyser. Photo: Stephen Parker

The worst of winter could be over and with the mercury set to rise, views like the one on today's front page may be in short supply.

The photo overlooking Te Puia towards Lake Rotorua was taken on one of this week's frosty mornings by Rotorua Daily Post chief photographer Stephen Parker.

There have been 12 frosts recorded in Rotorua this year, according to Rotorua Daily Post weatherman Brian Holden. The coldest was on Tuesday when the ground temperature plummeted to -4°C, and the air temperature was -1°C.

"With the frosts comes the sunshine," Mr Holden said.

"It's the clear skies overnight that leads to a frost. We've had fairly light winds also. We've had quite a bit of sun this month and that tends to put a smile on people's faces."

Sadly the sun is going to be in short supply for the next few days with MetService forecasting rain every day until Tuesday. On the flip side, temperatures will range from a maximum of 13°C to 16°C in that time so Rotorua residents will feel more comfortable. Overnight temperatures are also set to be warmer with lows of between 9°C and 12°C until Monday when the mercury is set to plummet to 0°C.

Mr Holden, who keeps weather records from his Springfield home, said July had been a fairly average month.

"It's been a nice July in terms of sunshine. We're experiencing typical weather for winter."

Today is forecast to feature cloudy periods but there will be rain tomorrow to Monday. Tuesday is to be sunny but more rain on will be on its way.