Forecasters predict warmer Northland winter weather

Photo / Frank Malley

Late autumn and early winter in Northland will be slightly warmer but expect as much rain as usual, say the weather experts.

The National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) has released its seasonal climate outlook for May to July.

Autumnal rains have coloured the dry Northland pastures a deeper green over the past couple of months, after worries over the summer the region would have another drought on its hands.

Niwa predicts just a 25 per cent chance of above-average rainfall in the three months until July, with a 45 per cent chance rainfall will be at near-average levels.

Soil moisture levels and river flows were predicted to be in the near-normal or below-normal range. River flows were given a 50 per cent chance of being in the below-normal range.

Divers keen to plunge into Northland's ocean depths to gather the region's kai moana will be pleased to learn that Niwa forecasts coastal waters to be in the near-average to above-average temperature range.

Likewise, air temperatures were predicted to be near-average or above-average.

The tropical cyclone season - the six months when most cyclones occur - officially ended on April 30. This season, seven named tropical cyclones formed over the southwest Pacific and Coral Sea. Most of those have stayed far to the north of New Zealand, with the exception of Tropical Cyclone Pam which sank southwards from the tropics towards East Cape in March, bringing high winds and showers.