Easterly rain predicted for the rest of this week, on top of the past couple of days of southerly showers, would help ease the dry conditions on Otago's eastern coast.
The coast from North Otago to Dunedin has experienced a winter of below normal rainfall.
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's (Niwa) winter 2009 report showed Dunedin experienced its third-lowest winter rainfall (72mm), while record low rainfalls were recorded at Ranfurly (14mm) and Lumsden (106mm).
Dunedin was also the driest of New Zealand's six main centres for the winter and up to last night had only 11.1mm of rain at Musselburgh - less than half September's normal rainfall.
Temperatures had also been warmer than normal in the city, especially after the northwesterlies on the 14th, with the mean daily temperature at Musselburgh 10.8degC, 1.5degC warmer.
Until Tuesday, Oamaru had only .6mm rainfall this month and only 40mm had fallen from July 1 to September 21 - 34% of what is usual in that period.
Hydrological consultant Dave Stewart, of Dunedin, said if the easterly rain arrived today and tomorrow as predicted, it would be "absolutely perfect", especially on top of the past two days of southerly showers which brought (to 4pm) 6.6mm to Dunedin city and 10.8mm to Oamaru.
"We do need the rain and the sooner the better," Mr Stewart said.
Easterly weather patterns brought sustained rain to the east coast which provided the most benefit as it had the chance to soak in, Mr Stewart said.
"It's the type of rain that when the conditions get dry, it can get us out of it."
Sustained rainfall could also provide continued grass growth, although if the recent strong northwesterly winds returned, they could "suck out" its benefits, he said.
If the rain did not amount to much, the region would be starting to look dry by mid-October, he said.
Otago Regional Council environmental resource scientist Jono Conway said some rivers, such as the Pomahaka and Shag, were already below normal levels, although some, such as the Taieri, Clutha and Kakanui, were still showing the benefits of snow melt.
"It doesn't bode well. Unless there is a good bit of rain, the catchment will get low."
Niwa predicted the country was moving into a weak El Nino weather pattern, which could mean drier conditions for the east in coming months, he said.
Soil moisture levels were still fairly good.
Dunedin City Council water productions manager Gerard McCombie said the city reservoirs were at full capacity and demand was normal for late winter and spring.
He was regularly monitoring the levels of the rivers which fed the reservoirs to ensure demand did not outstrip supply.
Waitaki District Council assets group manager Neil Jorgensen said the council was keeping "a close eye" on its Goodwood water supply, but its other water supplies had not been affected by the dry weather.
Emergency services manager Chris Raine said before yesterday's rain the council was considering lifting its moderate fire risk rating due to the dry conditions and gusty winds which had pushed the risk to extreme some days.
"It's certainly a lot drier earlier this year. It's starting to brown off on the hill tops."
However, it would only take two to three days for the fire risk to rise if the northwesterlies returned, he said.
The situation was similar in Dunedin.
Dunedin City Council rural fire officer Graeme Still said the city's fire danger rating continued to be moderate.
