Additional water restrictions are looming for Tauranga City.

In a post on Facebook, Tauranga City Council says water restrictions are still on in Tauranga.

'This means sprinklers are banned and all irrigation systems need to be turned off.

'Record low flow levels in local streams are a concern.

'If water use goes up any further, a hose ban may become necessary.”

Water Services Manager, Peter Bahrs warns that if the city continues on the trajectory it's on at present, 'we are probably going to be looking at the next level of restriction within a week”.

The latest weather forecast doesn't have any rain coming anytime soon either.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says La Nina has peaked but the tropical cyclone season is only just approaching its peak.

'High pressure continues to dominate New Zealand bringing a very dry start to the month of February in most, if not all, regions.

'La Nina has peaked but is still with us. It's not overly powerful and is slowly slipping back to Neutral.”

RuralWeather.co.nz and WeatherWatch.co.nz said in spring 2020 that this La Nina may not be very powerful and may not produce rain for New Zealand as we might expect. It's disappointing to see that forecast actually eventuate with many in the upper and eastern North Island wanting more rain.

RuralWeather.co.nz says droughts are now forming across parts of New Zealand.

White boxes indicate areas with least amount of rainfall. The one in central Australia has some areas with 0mm. The blue patch near Northland, NZ has just 1 - 10mm over the next two weeks (unless a cyclone manages to break through).
Data via: GFS / America.