MetService figures show between 15mm and 20mm of rain fell in the Maniototo between noon on Monday and noon yesterday, and about 11mm at Oamaru. Mid-afternoon yesterday, the Otago Regional Council withdrew the water shortage direction that would have taken effect today.
Chief executive Peter Bodeker said the rain alleviated ''immediate concerns'' about low flows.
River levels at Waipiata, Tiroiti and Sutton were ''edging'' above minimum flow and were expected to continue to rise with more rain forecast this week.
Wedderburn farmer and Central Otago district councillor Stu Duncan said the rain had made farmers happy.
''It has lifted spirits around the Maniototo. If nothing else, it makes everyone have a smile.
''It's been very good. [I'm] very happy and the forecast for the rest of the week is pretty good too.''
Crops had received a much-needed ''drink'' and for the medium term, the fire risk was down, he said.
Fellow Wedderburn farmer Peter Hore said about 18mm of rain fell at his property.
''It gives us a chance to get our winter feed crops sown and hopefully they will get away. That's our biggest concern.''
It would also help to recharge irrigation systems in the area, he said.
For some farmers around Oamaru, the 8mm to 14mm was the heaviest in one fall since the middle of last year, but others missed out completely.
North Otago Federated Farmers president Richard Strowger said it depended on where thunderstorms hit land, which was obvious in the figures, which varied markedly across North Otago.
Clifton Falls, in the Kakanui Valley, recorded 2.5mm of rain and Kakanui 6mm, in contrast to Stoneburn, at Palmerston, and the Waitaki Valley, which had none. Even sites around Oamaru varied.
The rain was welcome but a lot more was needed, Mr Strowger said.
With northwest winds up to gale force predicted last night and early today, the moisture could be quickly lost, he said.
What rain there was would be good for winter feed crops but for dryland grass it would ''not help a whole lot''.
It would ease pressure on irrigation, particularly the North Otago scheme, which was under pressure to meet the demand for water.
Mr Bodeker said the council expected the Taieri River would record several days of flow above the minimum and that water would be available for irrigation.
''I am appreciative of the farmers throughout Otago who have been rostering and rationing water. We are encouraged that they will continue with this approach to help the river's recovery and maintain levels at or above its minimum flow.''
Kyeburn Catchment Limited chairman David McAtamney said although the rain was helpful, more was needed in catchment areas to restore water levels in irrigation dams.
More rain was needed and a ''general cooling'' of weather systems was expected for the coming months, which would further assist winter feed crops.
''If we get good rain through February and March, we will get a good autumn. If we don't, watch out.''
February outlook
MetService is predicting a pattern change to cooler southwesterlies at the start of this month.
Southwesterlies will bring welcome relief from the extreme heat of January and push showers or rain across New Zealand, although the highs are expected to return to the South Island next week and are likely to remain for much of the month, resulting in a drier-than-normal February.
