The southern region’s last remaining hot spot could disappear completely this week, putting the area out of danger of falling into drought.
Heavy rains were forecast for much of Otago and Southland over the next two days, and would have a major impact on the regions’ significant soil moisture deficits – otherwise known as hotspots, a Niwa spokesman said.
Moderate to heavy rainfall was seen over the past week in Tasman, the west coast and Fiordland, where amounts of 50mm to 120mm were widespread, he said.
Quantities of 25mm-40mm were recorded in Southland and Stewart Island, with the rest of the South Island generally receiving less than 25mm.
This resulted in small to moderate increases in soil moisture along the west coast and lower South Island, while decreases occurred in Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson.
The driest soils in the South Island, compared to normal for this time of year, are still in the Buller district, Southland and Stewart Island, while the wettest soils for this time of year are in the north of Canterbury .
“Most of the previous hotspots have disappeared over the past week, although one remains in a small part of Southland’s interior.
“Persistent hotspot regions can develop into drought.
“Dry to very dry conditions persist across much of Otago, Southland and Stewart Island,” the spokesman said.
However, moderate to heavy rain was expected to hit most of the South Island today and tomorrow before dry weather returned by mid-week, he said.
Weekly precipitation totals could again exceed 100mm for most of the west coast to Fiordland, and much of the eastern and lower South Island could receive 30mm-50mm.
“Due to expected rainfall over the next week, soil moisture levels may increase across most of the South Island, including the driest areas of the Buller District and Southland.
“The current hotspot in Southland could disappear completely in the next week,” he said.