Heatwave set to hang around

Graham Burton jumps into the Hamurana Stream to escape the hot weather yesterday. Photo / Stephen Parker

The sweltering heat looks set to continue through to the long weekend but it may not be without a few hiccups, a meteorologist says.

Rotorua should be prepared for the possibility of a thundery afternoon today, despite forecast highs in the mid-20Cs.

MetService meteorologist Emma Blades said fine spells would be the theme for the week, but heavy rain and hail were also a possibility.

"This kind of weather can be unstable, so Rotorua could also be in for isolated showers, some heavy, and possible thunderstorms as a result of the afternoon and evening heat."

She said Rotorua's warmest days in the last week hit 27C.

But Springfield-based weatherman Brian Holden said he would be surprised to see rain.

"In theory, these kinds of weather conditions can cause thunderstorms but that doesn't mean it's going to happen.

"Last week I recorded highs of 28C and 29C and it doesn't look like rain is on the horizon. If I had a job that relied on rain, I'd be getting a bit miffed by now with these national weather forecasts saying rain is on the cards."

Rotovegas Roofing owner Richard Burnett said he and his workers took precautions to ensure they were not affected by the heat.

"It's been a while since we've had a few days of rain and it can be brutal working outside in the constant heat.

"Being a small, locally owned company, we are lucky in that if the heat does get too much we can just stop. We try to have our lunch break around midday too, which keeps us out of the sun during the hottest part of the day." Mr Burnett said people who worked outdoors were "much more sun safe than they were 20-odd years ago".

"Workers are much more sun-wise and make sure they are wearing hats and sunblock. People never used to worry about melanoma or know the dangers of long exposure to the sun, so there would have been more casualties than there are now."

Lakes District Health Board emergency department head Mazen Shasha said there had not been many heat-related injuries seen but people needed to be sensible when in the sun for prolonged periods.

"Water is your best friend, so drink lots of fluids but avoid alcoholic or high-content sugar drinks."

He said aged and sick people were the most vulnerable in the sun but everyone was at risk.

"Put on sunscreen, wear sunglasses and hats, avoid physical activities in the sun, and rest in shaded places."