As this is written, probably more readers are fretting over the heat.

But not if you’re a farmer or grower.

The following HBRC chart shows just how dry Hawke’s Bay has been over the last five months.

Worst off has been the Heretaunga Plains.

Obviously this pervasive sub-normal dryness — 52% below normal across the region in November — ‘flows’ through to low river flows, lower aquifers and low soil moisture.

NIWA is courageously saying we can expect more ‘normal’ rainfall come mid-January and February.

But hopefully not another February surprise!