Photo: Getty ImagesThe Deep South has had a dry start to 2026, the MetService says. Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said while it had been dry, there had been some rain earlier in the month. "So [last] week could prove very important for getting rain to to those dry places, as people shouldn’t count on average rain through the second half of January and the month of February — especially with temperatures being on the warmer side than average." "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. StatisticsInvercargillRainfall2025 1039.4mm2024 1359.3mmaverage 986.1mmTemperature2025 max 29.9°C (Feb 16) min -3.2°C (4 Aug)2024 max 28.1°C (Jan 19) min -4.7°C (13 Jul)Wind2025 max gust 137kmh (Oct 23)2024 max gust 122kmh (Oct 20)GoreRainfall2025 937.2mm2024 1117.4mmaverage 921.7mmTemperature2025 max 30.2°C (Feb 16) min -3.2°C (Aug 4)2024 max 29.3°C (Jan 19) min -4.2°C (Jul 15)Wind2025 max gust 124kmh (Oct 23)2024 max gust 107kmh (Feb 19)roni.mcdonald@alliedmedia.co.nz

Source: Otago Daily Times January 20, 2026 16:19 UTC