It was a hot, dry February until Cyclone Dovi blew in

• Published date: 10 March 2022
• Publication title: Taupo Weekender

A tropical downpour as the cyclone crossed the central and lower North Island on February 12 produced overnight rain of 96mm, a record 24-hour fall for any February day in Taupō

It also brought an end to drought conditions that stretched well back into January and helped swell the monthly rainfall total to 169.5mm. It was the wettest February since 2018, when 178mm of rain fell during 16 wet days.

Temperatures prior to the passage of Dovi were well above average for summer and a reading of 29.2C was registered on February 10. These temperatures fell to more realistic levels for the second half of the month.

A barometric pressure reading of just 991hPa was recorded with the passage of the cyclone but soon climbed...