Rain on the horizon for Canterbury
CAROLINE KING
Last updated 12:51 13/03/2013


Much-needed rain is on the horizon for Canterbury, a weather expert says.

Blue Skies Weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard said showers were expected in Canterbury on Sunday, which would develop into rain on Monday and could spill over into Tuesday.

"We're not talking about a huge fall of rain but significant enough to get the grass growing again."

He said Monday and Tuesday would be "quite cold" because of a southwest wind.

Trewinnard said the West Coast, which has not had rain for five weeks, was expected to get "quite a heavy rainfall".

Because of the ground being extremely dry, this could cause flooding, he said.

Nelson, Southland, Otago and the North Island could also expect some rain, Trewinnard said.

"Does it signal the start of more regular rainfall? It's hard to say. I think perhaps it does."

However, it would take months to recover from the "rainfall deficit", Trewinnard said.

The forecast rain would be a result of two weather systems colliding over New Zealand, he said.

"It will certainly come as a relief to many."

MetService has also forecast a few showers in Christchurch next Wednesday.

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