A rainstorm that hit Central Otago on Tuesday was welcome but it could be a while before the next lot.
Grape Vision viticulturist James Dicey said his Bannockburn vineyard was as dry as it usually would be in mid-December.
He measured 20mm of rain at the vineyard on Tuesday, which was "very welcome" after only 19mm for the whole of September and October.
"... it was the first decent rain that I can remember for many months."
While he was pleased with rain after such dry weather, he did not appreciate the following snow.
"The grapevines can only handle, at this stage of the year, about half an hour below zero.
"The snow on the hillside acts as a cold bank. The cold air blows down the mountainside and fills the valley floor."
Frost was also a concern, though forecast frost did not happen.
"It’s like a little bloke playing Russian roulette with Jack Frost at this time of year."
Dunstan Hills orchard manager Ian Nicholls, of Alexandra, said the rain was good now, but orchardists would not be happy if it rained on their fruit in a few weeks.
Maniototo farmer Stuart Paterson said the area was about as dry as usual for this time of year, but this week’s "bit of moisture we had was very welcome. We could always do with rain but we’ve got irrigation and that helps."
Teviot Orchard Company owner Gary Bennetts, of Roxburgh, was happy too.
"We’ll have another inch next week please!"
MetService meteorologist John Law said rain levels over the past month in Central Otago were lower than expected.
The rain storm this week was a "fleeting affair" as October was dominated by areas of high pressure and the next couple of months would be too.
Niwa meteorologist Seth Carrier said its figures showed there had already been more rainfall in November than all of October in Central Otago, mostly from Tuesday’s downpour.
So far, Queenstown had 49% of its normal November rain, while Wanaka had 70% of its normal rain, before Tuesday though, both areas had had extended periods with no rain.
Alexandra had 80% of its normal rain for November already while it only had 27% of normal in October.
Ranfurly had 80% of its normal rainfall in October, but in November had only had 44% .
