Remains of Cyclone Oma have hit Hawke's Bay over the weekend. Photo / Paul Taylor
Remains of Cyclone Oma have hit Hawke's Bay over the weekend. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke's Bay got its first taste of winter yesterday after a weekend of rain and low temperatures - but MetService says it isn't for long.
"For the Napier/Hastings region the temperature dropped to 10 degrees with the high only being 18, which is due to the low coming in fromthe aftermath of the storm," a MetService spokesperson said.
"Napier and Hastings only saw around 20-30mm of rain over the weekend but some parts along the Hawke's Bay coast saw 54mm fall."
The weather comes as a welcome relief for farmers who have been suffering from dry conditions for many months but for vineyards it can be a different story.
Hawke's Bay Wines Deputy Chair Peter Hurlstone says that the impact of the weather was not as bad as what was predicted.
"The recent weather has not been as bad as initially forecast and has only caused minimal effect and with the current cool temperatures and strong breeze it will ensure any moisture will quickly dissipate," Hurlstone said.
For Elephant Hill Viticulturist John Peet the cold weather with the storm has added a bit of relief.
"Rain is never a good thing, but with the temp sitting around the 12 degree mark that will help prevent any growths on the fruit and dry out the plants quicker," Peet said.
Waipukurau local Gayle Dean says the steady rain over the weekend has been a welcomed change of pace during a hot summer.