Droughts have this month been declared in Northland, Waikato and Ruapehu but with heavy rain for some in these regions this past week – and more on the way today and the coming week – it’s possible the droughts may be over before they even set in.

However farmers are still being advised to plan for drier than average conditions, and local authorities are warning locals to be aware of fire and water restrictions.

Rain, heavy at times, has fallen off and on across many parts of the North Island in recent days, with particularly heavy rain crossing Northland, Auckland and Waikato on Saturday. 

However not all farms received the deluge.

The rain came less than two weeks after WeatherWatch.co.nz predicted rains would soon arrive with La Nina conditions despite the prolonged dry spell.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the rain this week was “100% La Nina”. 

“These conditions are absolutely text book La Nina for the North Island.  We had a sub-tropical low, extremely high humidity and winds from the north east bringing rain.  This is the type of weather we really should have been seeing last month but never did”.

Mr Duncan says long range forecasts, that go beyond Boxing Day, indicate more sub-tropical development north west of New Zealand, which has the potential to again affect northern regions the week after.

Meanwhile a nasty looking low pressure system will, in the coming days, push on to the South Island bringing more heavy rain.

And WeatherWatch.co.nz is now also predicting an “increased possibility” of another rain bearing front from the south west after Boxing Day.

Mr Duncan says while the rain has arrived to many dry and drought affected areas locals should still continue to observe water and fire restrictions until authorities declare otherwise, especially considering not all have received heavy rain.

What are your rainfall totals for December so far?  Post your readings below!