South Wairarapa a dry soil 'hotspot'

Hotspot Watch says South Wairarapa is an exception to the North Island's near normal moisture range for this time of year. FILE PHOTO

South Wairarapa has been identified as a "hotspot" for soil moisture deficit, according to Niwa.

The agency's weekly Hotspot Watch says South Wairarapa is an exception to the North Island's near normal moisture range for this time of year.

The area is continuing to decrease in soil moisture levels.

Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

Elsewhere, Hawke's Bay is benefiting from widespread and heavy rain during September, making levels wetter than normal.

For the week ahead, very little rain is forecast for the North Island, with drier than normal soils around South Wairarapa possibly extending further.

A predominantly westerly to southwesterly wind flow will contain scattered showers to western parts of the island with only one frontal passage expected mid-week to bring more widespread rain.

It is likely soil moisture levels will decrease by next Friday for eastern areas of the island.