Recent rainfall across Hawke's Bay has come as welcome relief to most, but an expected return to dry weather over the next few weeks could see any greenery that has emerged quickly return to brown.
Weather Watch head forecaster Philip Duncan said the two days of rain this week - which ranged between 25mm and 65mm for different areas - were a good start for the usually dry month.
"I think the two combined are a really healthy combination, but it's still not enough to reverse the big dry or the unofficial drought Hawke's Bay is in," Mr Duncan said.
"This rain will be very, very helpful for those who are on rainwater or those needing to green up the grass or the garden, but for those who are seriously farming, this was not enough."
Metservice data showed rainfall for both Napier and Hastings has been below the historical average each month since October. Napier only had 5mm of rain in January, against a monthly average of 62mm.