-
Source: ONE News
Storms forecast for much of the country will miss the parched north.
A deep low in the Southern Ocean is expected to bring heavy rain to the west and gales, possibly severe, from Wellington to Canterbury this weekend.
But the rough weather isn't expected to go beyond the lower North Island and no significant rain is in sight for Northland, Auckland and other dry northern regions.
And there is no sign of water in the next 10 days.
Central Otago is also screaming out for rain. Hydrologist Dave Stewart says the region has been very dry for months and areas like Roxburgh and Alexandra are in dire straits. He says ideally the region requires a series of rainy patches, not a deluge.
Stewart says rivers and lakes are starting to show the effects of lack of rainfall and the current El Nino weather pattern is not likely to move before May.
Meanwhile, builders say the weather this summer has resulted in homes starting to crack.
The Building Research Association says there seems to be a prevalence of problems this year with doors sticking, houses creaking and cracks appearing.
Chief executive Pieter Burghout says the mix of humidity and dry weather this summer has affected the wood and homeowners should keep an eye out for cracks appearing or fastenings popping.
