Report from Pipiriki

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 19, 9 October 1984, Page 12

Report from Pipiriki

Waimarino residents who enjoy brilliant sunny days after a hard overnight frost, may look with envy at the warmer temperatures experienced by their neighbours down in the hollow at Pipiriki. After six weeks of officially recording the weather for the Met. Office in Wellington the weekly figures don't convey to Waimarino Bulletin readers the complete picture of the conditions at 9am but the monthly summary tends to highlight the major differences between the two areas. In August, the highest maximum temperature at Pipiriki was 18.9° C and the lowest maximum was 9°C. The average maximum temperature was 14.7° C. These were balanced by

an average minimum temperature of 4.9° C the lowest being -0.8° C and the highest 8.8° C. Although there were ground frosts on seven days, the temperatures did not drop as low as those in the Waimarino, the coldest only reached -4.4° C. The main difference between the two regions relates to the effect that the evaporation from the Wanganui River has in the water cycle. After a cold night, the floor of the valley is sealed off by a thick cloud of moist air which can take several hours to disperse. On some days it is possible to see where the sun is trying to break through the mist when the weather readings are taken at 9am, but other days the mist will still be around the hills at 1 1am. The humidity is normally very high and on some days it is up to 100%. With the approach of the spring equinox there has been a

noticeable increase in the number of days when a wind blows through the valley, a very different situation to that up on the Waimarino Plains. However, there is normally very little wind, and this also contributes to the lingering effect of the mist and dew. The humidity on very windy days can drop as low as 60%. In recent days Pipiriki has experienced quite a strong easterly wind but Mt Ruapehu has protected the town of Ohakune and the skifield has not been affected. For the gardener, it is a very rewarding climate but it also makes for more lawn mowing — the sound of motor mowers has been heard in Pipiriki for the last month. The blossom has passed from the old camellia and fruit trees, and the old daffodils are now faded too, all silent reminders of where houses once used to stand in the heyday of Pipiriki.