Cyclones apart, it's looking like autumn will be mild

Despite the threat of a cyclone hitting the country during the next few months, New Zealanders can generally look forward to a mild autumn, says the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa).

Temperatures are expected to be above average in the North Island and the top of the South Island. But for the remainder of the tropical season, which finishes at the end of April, normal cyclone activity is expected, with a small risk of a cyclone hitting New Zealand.

Niwa said yesterday that autumn was likely to see a tendency for a northeasterly flow onto the North Island.

Sea surface temperatures around New Zealand were above average at the moment, and were expected to stay that way through to May.

Rainfall was likely to be normal or above normal in the east of the North Island and normal or below normal in the eastern South Island.

Everywhere else should see near-normal rainfall, apart from the northern North Island, where the outlook was not clear.

In Northland, Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty - above average temperatures were likely. The rainfall outlook was not clear but stream flows and soil moisture levels were likely to be normal or below normal.

In the central North Island, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and Wellington, above average temperatures were likely during autumn, with normal seasonal rainfall.

In Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa - above average temperatures were likely.

- NZPA