Real winter may pass the North Island by

The North Island can expect a warmer-than-usual winter, with plenty of sunshine. Photo / Richard Robinson

Here's some solace for those gripped by flu - the North Island can expect a warmer-than-usual winter, with plenty of sunshine.

Forecasters predict temperatures up to 4C above average in some parts, with plenty of sunshine.

They say the calm conditions are thanks to "neutral" weather patterns caused by the departing El Nino system.

It came after a week in which Auckland's temperatures hit 19C, warmer than Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart.

Weatherwatch analyst Phil Duncan said: "I think we'll continue to see daily highs that are 3 or 4C above the normal for northern and eastern New Zealand. Auckland will continue with mild days and probably milder nights. I am stunned that we are one week into May and I still haven't lit my fire and used a heater.

"Southern New Zealand may see temperatures near average or even a little below normal."

And when winter does arrive in earnest, it's expected to be milder than previous years.

"We should see winter creeping north slowly, meaning colder weather moving up and the windier weather heading north too," said Duncan.

Although the next two weeks would be mostly dry, rain is expected to "chip away" at drought-stricken areas over the coming months.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said we should expect plenty of sunshine in the afternoon but frosts would become more regular.

"Between the anticyclones there should be periods of unsettled weather ... with fronts now having more grunt than in recent months."

The Niwa National Climate Centre expected El Nino to be gone by next month.

"Neutral conditions are expected over the winter. However, short-term cold snaps typical of winter will still occur."

Niwa's analysis of April across the country revealed the hottest temperature recorded was 28.6C in Darfield, Canterbury. The coldest place was a tie, with both Turangi and Hanmer recording -3.1C.

Auckland and Tauranga were equal warmest, Dunedin coolest, Christchurch driest, Auckland wettest, and Tauranga sunniest.