Rain, hail don't drown drought

A hail-covered garden in Hastings yesterday afternoon. PHOTO / TIM WHITTAKER

Hawke's Bay has received some respite from dry weather, thanks to thundery showers and hail, but the rainfall is "no drought-breaker," forecasters say.

MetService meteorologist Melissa Roux said showers during the past couple of days were "not a widespread rain event" and the region would have to hold out for more significant rainfall.

Fine weather was interrupted by thunderstorms yesterday afternoon, bringing heavy downpours and hail to some areas.

MetService meteorologist John Law said the first show of the storm was south of Waipukurau about 12.45pm.

It followed a path across Havelock North and Hastings. Hailstones up to 10mm were seen in urban Havelock North and Stortford Lodge.

The heaviest rain appeared to be in Hastings, where the city recording station measured 7mm between 3pm and 4pm.

The Hawke's Bay Airport weather station north of Napier recorded just 0.2mm.
"I think you guys in Hastings got the bulk of it. It shows how localised these showers can be, and how different," Mr Law said.

The storm was no more than "a little refresher," said winegrower Xan Harding, who was unaware of any damage likely to affect this year's grape harvest.

Ms Roux said more showers were forecast today, expected to clear in the afternoon.
"It's drying up [today] and back to sunny weather."

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecaster Phillip Duncan said the downpours received by the East Coast were "no drought-breaker," with more hot and dry weather on the way.
"It might be Auckland Anniversary weekend but the high will be New Zealand-wide this coming weekend."

A spell of dry weather has put the region's waterways under pressure, with water restrictions in force for much of the Bay.

The dry conditions have also raised fire danger levels throughout the region, with a total fire ban now soon to be in force in Central Hawke's Bay.

The Central Hawkes Bay District Council said the ban would come into force next Monday at 8am and continue until further notice.

The ban prohibits the lighting of fires in the open air, including solid-fuel barbecues, braziers, pizza ovens and incinerators, as well as the use of fireworks.
A total fire ban has been enforced by the Hastings District Council on all beaches and public spaces since late last month.

High fire danger levels have also been reported in the Tararua District, with the situation being monitored daily by rural fire officers, but no total fire ban is in force yet.
The Wairoa District also remains in a restricted fire season, which means all open fires require a permit.