Hawke's Bay avoids the big wet

Hawke's Bay is expected to be spared the heavy rain which has caused flooding in the lower North Island.

Hawke's Bay is expected to be spared the heavy rain which has caused flooding in the lower North Island.

MetService's Hawke's Bay regional forecast was for scattered rain late yesterday, developing into a southerly overnight with showers this morning, clearing to fine weather for the weekend.

But more northern parts of Hawke's Bay could have done with some rain, with falls at Hawke's Bay Airport and Mahia less than a quarter of the October average with just two days of the month remaining.

Rainfall in Hastings was about half the average for the month.

In Napier, there had been just 13.6mm this month, following heavy rainfall over three days in late September, one of only two months this year rainfall has been higher than the monthly average.

Heavy rain from Waikanae to Lower Hutt yesterday caused flooding and damage, including to the Akatarawa River bridge which has had to be closed.