There have been very few days in recent times when the biggest talking point is the rain actually falling.

In some places it’s just a few showers or even dry at this point but almost everywhere by tonight would have seen some form of precipitation over the last day or two.

Former TC Sandra got together with a shallow trough before advancing over New Zealand and more rain resulted than previously thought.
WeatherWatch thought it may break up a little more but managed to hold together as it crossed the country yesterday and today.

“Even though it’s not breaking the drought it’s providing a little relief for most areas and in many cases across the North Island there is more to come either this afternoon or overnight” says WeatherWatch Analyst Richard Green.
“Tomorrow should see rain or showers cling on over Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and perhaps the Wairarapa which should certainly help farmers a little.”

WeatherWatch believes three or four more events such as this with thirty to forty millimetres each time would be ideal.

Wellington saw the southerly arrive this morning with the rain becoming widespread with no play so far today at the Basin reserve for the cricket test. It’s unlikely ther’ll be much play if any this afternoon.

Blenheim and Kaikoura finally saw some reasonable falls however it’s expected to ease a little later today.

More rain needed

That’s the view of drought stricken North Island farmers following rain for the first time in weeks.

Northland Rural Support Trust coordinator Julie Jonker says farmers she’s spoken to, only got up to eight millimetres of rain.
“We need at least about 150mls before we can start to think that we’re out of the drought. 20mls might have been nice.”

Farmers are seeking help from their local Rural Support Trust in droves.
Ms Jonker says their 0800 line has been particularly busy since the region was the first to get a drought declaration two and a half weeks ago.
“We’ve had more calls in the two weeks than we had in the four months during the 2010 drought at the beginning.”

Farmers are slightly encouraged by the wet magic that’s finally falling.

Federated Farmers president, Bruce Wills, says while he didn’t see any where he is in Hawke’s Bay yet, he’s pleased.”I think the weather pattern is changing so I’m hopeful that much of the country might get some very useful moisture this week.”

WeatherWatch