The North Island could be in for a warm but damp spring, according to Niwa's seasonal outlook for the next three months.
Temperatures are likely to be average or above for the North Island and the top of the South Island, with an equal chance of above-average rainfall.
There was a 40 to 45 per cent likelihood that temperatures would be average or above average in the North Island, though there was the same percentage chance of North Islanders having a wet three months.
Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino, at the national climate centre, said lower sea level pressure in the next three months would create winds from the east -- bringing the average to above-average conditions.
"It's not usual to have an easterly flow. To the east it's pretty moist, there's a lot of water out there," he said.