Mild winter set to continue

Most of New Zealand will continue to enjoy above average temperatures, with mild conditions forecast for the rest of winter.

Following a warmer than normal July, the seasonal climate outlook released today by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) shows the mild conditions are set to continue through to October.

Jim Salinger, a spokesman for the National Climate Centre, said the El Nino and La Nina weather patterns were nowhere in evidence this year.

The tropical Pacific was currently in a neutral state and likely to remain so for the rest of the year.

More anticyclones were expected east of the South Island.

Air temperatures were expected to be above average in many regions, but nearer average in the east of the North Island and the north of the South Island.

However, there could be higher rainfall than usual in store for the eastern districts of both islands.

* Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty: above average temperatures likely, near normal rainfall;

* Central North Island, Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu, Wellington, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa: above average temperatures, normal or above normal rainfall;

* Nelson, Marlborough, Buller, West Coast, the Southern Alps, inland Otago and Southland: above average temperatures and normal rainfall;

* Coastal Canterbury, East Otago: above average temperatures and normal or greater than normal rainfall.

- NZPA