South Island

Despite good levels of rainfall throughout the region, dairy farmers in South Otago and Southland are still managing difficult dry conditions.

DairyNZ regional leader for Otago/Southland, Miranda Hunter, says most farmers have short-term plans in place for the next few weeks, but it is this autumn and winter which will be a challenge.

While some of you South Islanders basked in sunshine and summer warmth yesterday, many of you weren't so lucky.  Today, that changed for a lot of you.

Take a look at this...

Yesterday's high in Gore was 13.  Today at 3:00pm, it was 22

Yesterday's high in Dunedin was 16.  Today at 3:00pm, it was 24

Mid-Summer snow was falling and settling on Porters Pass this afternoon in the South Island, along with hail and other winter conditions on Arthurs Pass reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

As the news becomes a little brighter for North Islanders weatherwise this week it could be going downhill in the South - but that's expected to be welcome news for many as parts of Southland and Otago teeter on drought conditions.

Rain over the past few days has helped but without follow-up rain the dry ground will return quickly.

After a considerable dry spell in the lead up to Christmas and also post Christmas, the rain gods were smiling a little yesterday over much of Otago and Southland.

Falls did vary over both provinces with some isolated heavy falls recorded interspersed with lighter falls and dry spells.

Alexandra is by far dominating as the hottest place in New Zealand this summer, taking the national high a staggering 24 times in the 40 days since Summer started reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

The weather news authority says in December the Central Otago town clocked up 18 days with the national high, including 11 consecutive days at the end of the month.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Christchurch just after experts predicted more quakes for the region, followed by a smaller 4.7 quake and then a larger 5.2 quake.

The earthquakes follows a high-level quake summit in the shaky city, organised by Mayor Bob Parker to "provide the full facts" for information-hungry citizens.

It may seem hard for North Islanders to believe it.  Even South Islanders north of Christchurch may not realise it.  But the deep south is dry.

Very dry.

According to the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Otago and Southland received less than half their normal rainfall for December.

Sunshine and temperatures in the 20's are making for a nice Tuesday in Christchurch and much of Canterbury.

Whether you are playing or working outdoors, it looks like the weather will cooperate for the rest of today and all of Wednesday.

However, the period Thursday through Saturday is a bit iffy.

A series of earthquakes have terrified many already-frazzled Christchurch residents this afternoon, starting with a 5.8 magnitude tremor at 1.58pm.

Initial reports said one person had received minor injuries, although St John had responded to 19 earthquake-related emergency calls in and around Christchurch.