He said the ideal type of rain would be gentle rain that fell over several days.
"The ground is so hard at the moment - it's like concrete. Some of the hills have great big cracks in them."
Last week, Wanganui was declared a drought zone, along with the entire North Island - the first time that has happened in three decades.
The Whanganui River was at a 35-year low, while the Rangitikei was at its lowest for 13 years.
The rain appeared to have bypassed parched areas inland from Wanganui, however.
Shelley Dew-Hopkins, who runs a sheep and beef farm, and dairy grazing, at Rangiwahia, south-east of Mangaweka, said there had been no more than a drop of rain in the area.
"It was just a little sprinkle on Sunday. It didn't even wet the ground."
She said she knew some farmers in the area were getting desperate. "The biggest concern for people up here is lack of water. We are doing okay on our farm, but our house water is getting pretty low."
Mrs Dew-Hopkins said light, steady rain was needed to replenish the dry ground.
People commenting on the Chronicle's Facebook were excited about the rain yesterday.
Dylan Hawkins said, "Definitely enjoying the rain, Wanganui really needed it. And I am enjoying the thunder also."
And Lawrence Clark said, "I am so welcoming this long-awaited downpour!"
Emily Murphy said her leaking roof meant she was having to put buckets down throughout the house.
The heavy rain was too little too late for the Waverley Cup. Due to be held this Sunday, it has been cancelled because of the poor condition of the track.
MetService forecaster John Law said the wind would swing round from the north-west to the south-west wind today, bringing cooler temperatures. He said there would still be occasional rain in Wanganui today, with cloudy spells on Wednesday, then fine into next week.