WARM IN DECEMBER

Taupo Times, Volume 20, Issue 1, 7 January 1971, Page 4

WARM IN DECEMBER

By W. de Bont Last month, like the rest of 1970, was above average in warmth with the average maximum daily temperature being the highest recorded since records were first kept eight years ago. December, 1970, could best be described as a sunny, warm, windy and dry month. The maximum temperature exqeeded 80 degrees on two occasions, with the highest, 83 degrees, being recorded on December 31. No frosts were recorded at i Rainbow Point although several light frosts were noted at Waipahihi. Last month 's mean average temperature was only .1 degree lower than last year's record.

The lowest maximuip temperature, 65 degrees, was recorded on December 14 and December 20. It was the driest December for many years, with the total rainfall of 1.33 inches being well below the average of

5.14 inches. The usual heavy thunder showers did not eventuate and the heaviest rainfall on any one day was a mere .46 inches on December 15. Last year 3.87 inches fell on December 17. Sunshine figures were also

above average with 236 hours being recorded. The total for the year was 1933 hours compared with 2222 hours last year. Strong easterly winds, particularly toward the end of the month, tended to make December windier than usual.

Kevin and Vivian Salmon, from Palmerston North, watch as their father weighs a rainbow trout at Loafers' Paradise camp at Rotongaio. Mr and Mrs Noel Salmon have been bringing their family to Rotongaio every Christmas since the camp opened about 12 years ago, and were regular visitors to Taupo for several years before that. This trout, which weighed slightly over six pounds, was the biggest of three caught on this excursion with the smallest weighing just over five pounds.