Spring set to be warm, rain average

Photo / Richard Robinson

The moderate La Nina weather pattern which has established in the tropical Pacific may strengthen further through the rest of this year and continue into the summer months of early next year, climate scientists say.

Spring temperatures are likely to be above average across the country, though short-term cold snaps typical of spring will still occur. Sea surface temperatures are expected to be near or above average.

Averaged over the three months of spring - September, October and November - most regions will get near-normal rain, with average soil moisture levels and stream flows near normal in all regions.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty may get rainfall above normal, and on the east side of the North Island, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa face a toss-up between getting near normal or above normal rainfall.

In the South Island, temperatures are likely to be above average, with rainfall, soil moisture levels, and stream flows likely to be near normal.

- NZPA