Canterbury's run as one of the driest regions in the country is expected to continue. Christchurch has received just 2.4 millimetres of rain in the past 30 days and the dry run is forecast to continue until at least next week. Rangiora in North Canterbury has received 5.8mm and Ashburton in Mid-Canterbury 8.8mm – far below the January average of about 28mm. North Canterbury was flagged by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) as the South Island's driest hotspot throughout December. STACY SQUIRES/STUFF Tinder dry conditions are leaving firefighters on edge this month in North Canterbury.

Source: Stuff January 27, 2020 01:07 UTC