![Last week's weather highlights. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/YR3GY7OEJJ5UWZ66YDOX6GIQRE.jpg?auth=ef9dfe0a278f5fc2f218eea5a4bf232ad873a06e32711b6f38ce5db3dc32a51b&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Taupō's weather for the first half of January has been extremely dry and hot.
The most significant factor was that no rain at all has been recorded and there has been no precipitation now for 17 consecutive days, and a mere 6mm over the past 30 days.
The last recorded rainfall was 5mm on December 28 and 1mm the next day. Drought conditions now exist in the district and this is evidenced by the parched lawns, parks and hillsides in Taupō. This must be a cause for concern.
The driest January on record produced a total of 11.5mm over just four days in 2009. There is, however, a chance of rain with a wind change toward the latter part of this week, but that rain should not accumulate too much.