Let it rain, let it rain, now you'll know

Watching: At last Kiwis can plan their outdoor events for fine days. Photo / Janna Dixon

A few days out from the general election, when reporters were flat out covering a storm in a teacup, the government-owned MetService did a surprise u-turn and at last freed up the rain radar network.

Until last month, the radar images were updated just once an hour, which was useless. Now it's every 7.5 minutes and is fantastic. This means that in real time you can track rain bands as they move in.

It's great in summer when thunderstorms are forming too, especially coupled with the country's only public lightning tracker which you'll find at WeatherWatch.co.nz.

"Just checked out the new rain radar feed on the MetService site and love it," wrote Kathryn Boyles on our Facebook page. "Crazy to think the facility for the public to view it like this has been there all along and we only now get the benefit. Thanks MetService for finally agreeing to share and to WeatherWatch.co.nz for their hard work making it happen!"

I lobbied the Government to free up the radar network and hold no grudge towards the state-owned forecaster - my sometimes public battles with it are more about politics.

Do I wish they played more nicely? Absolutely. Do I wish they were cheaper? Yes. Would I prefer a public forecaster not a state-owned enterprise that's expected to compete like a private company? Definitely. Do I dislike them? Not at all.

The challenge is now over and New Zealanders can finally avoid being rained out - it's that accurate.

Now to a Christmas prediction: based on various data it looks as though once the remnants of the past week's deluge-forming low fizzles out over the upper North Island today, a high pressure system will push in.

So, for Christmas Day clouds are possible in the far north and deep south and potentially afternoon heat showers between. A front moving in from the west could bring rain to Fiordland with a 50/50 chance of rain or showers in Southland and Westland. Fingers crossed the high stays strong.

If you have kids or grandkids, check out the live Santa Tracker at WeatherWatch.co.nz. We'll update Santa's progress hourly from 2pm on Christmas Eve.