Niwa data showed soil moisture levels had been extremely dry in the South Island during January, but there was exceptionally heavy rainfall in the west, with widespread rain of over 200mm stretching from northern Fiordland to Arthurs Pass, and about the Buller, Tasman and Nelson ranges.
A Niwa spokesman said multiple areas recorded rainfall totals between 700mm and 1000mm.
"East of the Southern Alps, rainfall was sparser, with less than 5mm for the upper Canterbury and Marlborough areas.
"Meanwhile, Mid Canterbury, Southland and Otago received 10mm to 50mm, with the largest totals on the Otago ranges.
"This resulted in significant soil moisture increase across the west, some slight decreases for the Marlborough and upper Canterbury, and no significant changes elsewhere."
He said the driest soils in the South Island, when compared with normal for this time of year, were still in parts of Southland and Stewart Island.
"Hot spots remain in southern Otago and parts of Southland.
"As of February 2, the New Zealand Drought Index map shows dry conditions extend from Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough, across the Southern Alps and ranges, and down to much of Otago and Southland, including Stewart Island.
"In addition, very dry or extremely dry conditions are in parts of Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, the Southern Alps, elevated Otago and coastal Southland.
"Meteorological drought has emerged for parts of the interior elevated Otago. These conditions may ease across western areas and the South Alps due to the recent heavy rainfall."
He said there was a chance of more heavy rain about Fiordland and the West Coast today and tomorrow, but there was still much uncertainty at this time, about where exactly it would fall.
He said soil moisture might continue to decrease in Otago and Southland, causing an exacerbation of existing hot spots.
