The latest 7 day forecast for Southland and Otago paints a picture of mostly calm, mostly dry and fairly sunny weather ahead – after a rough start to August for farmers.

The regions have been hit by regular wet events and cold winds – with snow to low levels a few times too.

Back in late July WeatherWatch.co.nz predicted “a front almost every day” for Southland in the early part of the month – but even WeatherWatch was surprised with how wet and ‘miserable’ it’s been for many farmers who are dealing with calving and lambing.

“The forecast is looking better – we won’t say it’s perfect but it’s a huge step up from the first half of August” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.  “The next 10 days for Southland and Otago will be dry or at least mostly dry with only low chances of a few showers here and there, about a 20% risk maybe”.

Mr Duncan says the bulk of the rain this week will be for the North Island and upper South Island as a Tasman Sea low moves through over Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We may still see a few days of southerlies but without all the rain, snow and hail – perhaps just cloudy areas and the chance of a shower otherwise dry and cool”.

Rain may return for southerners in about a week.

– Image / File,Debbie Zillwood

– WeatherWatch.co.nz