The deep south has had a dry start for 2026, Metservice says. Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said last week’s rain could be "very important". Some parts of Southland already had dry soil moisture. There had been a weak La Nina event in the past two months but the forecast expected it would return to normal in February. "Current models have February looking pretty typical La Nina — low pressure systems in the north and Tasman Sea, high pressure draped across the South Island.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 14, 2026 10:32 UTC