October set to be warmer and drier than average

After a sopping wet September with up to double the normal rainfall, a drier and warmer than average October is forecast.

September was the third month in a row where rain, showers and turbulent weather has targeted New Zealand.

Hamilton and Tauranga recorded about double normal their September rainfall, almost hitting 200mm each. Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland were also wetter than normal.

Major growing areas, such as Pukekohe, Gisborne, Ohakune and Manawatu, respectively reached 130 per cent, 175 per cent, 155 per cent and 145 per cent of normal September totals, MetService Meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said.

"This has resulted in extremely wet conditions for much of the North Island, as well as the eastern South Island. All we're hearing is that people have had enough of the rain."

"Looking ahead, we finally see some drier weather. It looks likely that highs return to the New Zealand region in October," Griffiths predicted.

"While we will still see fronts and lows on the weather maps, these are forecast to be far less frequent than is usual for the time of year."

A warmer-than-usual October is also predicted right across the country.

Initially the fine weather should favour both islands equally. Towards the end of the month this will change to a focus on the south as easterly winds set up over northern New Zealand.

And although most of the country will have a drier than normal October, northeastern parts of the country should get average rainfall.

Most areas are fine this morning but a front is set to move up the country starting from midday bringing cold southwesterly winds and showers.

The front is expected to hit Christchurch this evening and move up the North Island tomorrow. It will die around central areas but Auckland will still get showers tomorrow afternoon.

MetService meteorologist Brian Mercer said the West Coast of the South Island would get rain on Saturday, which would spread to eastern areas and the north of the North Island on Sunday.

Main centre forecasts today

Whangarei
Cloudy morning and evening, with long fine spells this afternoon. Southwesterlies and a high of 18C.

Auckland
Cloudy morning and evening, with long fine spells this afternoon. Southwesterlies and a high of 17C.

Hamilton
Fine, apart from morning and evening cloud. Westerly breezes and a high of 17C.

Tauranga
A fine day, with some evening cloudy periods. Westerlies with a high of 19C.

Wellington
A fine day with increasing high cloud. Northerlies strengthening and a high of 16C.

Christchurch
A warm, fine day with northwesterlies, but chance shower with a cold southwest change evening and a high of 21C.

Dunedin
Fine with northwesterlies, then showers from afternoon with a strong, cold southwest change and a high of 20C.