Gale force winds are forecast for tomorrow ahead of a southerly front expected to bring rain, says MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn.
In exposed places the gales could be severe this evening and into tomorrow, as cloud and rain develop.
The gale north-westerlies would continue through tomorrow and, as the rain-bearing front came through, the wind would swing to the south bringing colder weather and showers.
"Certainly I think you will get a couple of hours of good rain on Tuesday evening and after that it will be just a few light showers," she said.
The showers will clear on Wednesday and for Thursday and Friday "you are looking at a nice day".
Federated Farmers Hawke's Bay president Will Foley said farmers were very pleased with current growing conditions.
"Wind last week was a little concerning, drying out the top few inches of soil, so any top-up rain will be very welcome to continue grass growth and assist spring sown-crop establishment."
Hawke's Bay Vegetable Growers Association chairman Scott Lawson said soil temperatures were lower than average and the expected El Nino weather pattern was bringing drier-than-usual weather.
"That 140mm of rain on the Heretaunga Plains has been a lifesaver for us," he said.
"We'll need a top-up on that in the next few weeks."
He said vegetable growers' use of irrigation needed to be judged well - careful use of rain-supplementing water was needed to assure quality crops.
"You could put the correct amount of water on that the crop requires throughout the growing season, but if it is not the right amount of water at the right time you can stress the plant.
That will affect the final yield and particular quality of that produce."
"It is a colder-than-average start and our groundwater levels are still below optimum but that recent rain has really set us up for a good spring.
"We are going to need more rainfall between now and February to keep us going."
Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers Association president Lesley Wilson said the growing season was off to a good start.
"It is all setting up quite nicely," she said.
She said she had heard of no frost damage.
"Everyone who has needed to protect from frosts appears to have done so."
The season's timing was "dead on normal".
Pipfruit would be experiencing a heavier "on" year and as new plantings mature, overall volume is forecast to be up 5 per cent on last year.