Rain is currently falling across Auckland and is sliding southwards into Waikato and Bay of Plenty – welcome by gardeners and farmers as the usual spring ‘dry out’ continues.  Rain is also falling across parts of drought hit Canterbury – bringing some relief to farmers and growers there.  And in the lower North Island a band of rain is also affecting Manawatu and neighbours.  Drizzle patches and showers are affecting many other North Island regions.

However despite El Nino in force – and showing up in some eastern parts of the South Island (North Otago, South Canterbury and North Canterbury in particular are drier than average for this time of the year) we are still seeing a number of rain events crossing the country as we end October and head into November.

“WeatherWatch.co.nz remains somewhat optimistic that rain events will continue to affect both islands, including some parts of the dry east, as we head into November” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

Over the next 10 days Hawkes Bay has four days with a 50% chance of rain or higher.  Temperatures may also hit 30 degrees on Friday in parts of Hawkes Bay.

Auckland has two or three days with the chance of rain above 50% over the next 10 days, including today.

Christchurch has three days with the chance of rain 50% or higher. Today, and at this stage Tuesday and Wednesday too.

“The first half of November sees a mixture of dry highs and rain making lows. Not everyone will get rain relief but there are, at the very least, a few days with moderate to good chances of rain for those who need it most”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says while there are a few days worth being positive about we are likely to see a drop off in rain events as we head towards December and January.

CURRENT RAIN MAP (as of 1pm hour)

– Image / www.Weathermap.co.nz  (and via our maps page)

– WeatherWatch.co.nz