The weather gods (well, NIWA) have spoken, making a bold call that good weather over the course of the 44th Fieldays event at Mystery Creek Events Centre can be expected. The event starts next Wednesday, June 12 and runs through to Saturday June 15.
NIWA has just announced its first official forecast reading for Fieldays 2013, saying that the weather forecast “looks promising” for the biggest agribusiness event in the Southern Hemisphere, says Dr Murray Poulter, chief scientist, atmosphere at NIWA.
Richard Ferdinands, operations manager at Mystery Creek Events Centre, says that thanks to a high-spec weather station installed two months ago, weather isn’t the concern it once was.
The weather station has ‘learned’ the local micro-climatic condition of Mystery Creek in time for the Fieldays event, allowing the operations manager’s team to better manage aspects of the event.
“It takes out the ‘what-ifs’ when it comes to the weather. If we can foretell whether it’s going to rain or not, we can pre-empt any negative impact on our exhibitors and visitors by putting our contingency plans in place ahead of time,” says Ferdinands.
“For the first time in Fieldays’ history, we can notify exhibitors in advance to ensure they’re not caught out. They’ll be kept well informed in the lead up and during the event so they can be prepared for the elements,” he says.
NIWA’s Poulter says: “There are no major rain-bearing weather systems on the horizon at this stage, and computer models suggest that generally dry conditions should prevail between the 12th and the 15th.
“Maximum temperatures are likely to be around the 14 or 15 degrees, which is right on average. Minimum overnight temperatures could be cooler than average due to the expected clear conditions with light winds.”
A get-out caveat is in place, however ,says Poulter: “As is always the case with the weather things can change, so keep an eye on NIWA’s Mystery Creek weather feed – located on the Fieldays website – for the latest conditions and forecasts.”
NIWA will be at Fieldays site PF15 demonstrating their specialised weather forecasting services.
Last year’s event recorded 117,495 visitors across all four days, with the Friday the busiest day with over 37,000 visitors.
Vodafone customers at Fieldays can enjoy a data boost as the company switches on its fast 4G mobile technology at Mystery Creek. Vodafone CEO Russell Stanners says the launch of a commercial 4G site at Mystery Creek is a major milestone for rural New Zealand.
Vodafone will be demonstrating 4G capabilities, and the benefits to the rural sector.
New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays is held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, 10 minutes south of Hamilton. Website: www.fieldays.co.nz
