KEY POINTS:
It has been a warm and relatively dry autumn and early winter, according to National Institute of Water Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
Climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger said the cold temperatures would arrive but so far it had been relatively warm.
"There are signs that drier than normal conditions will likely continue in Westland, Fiordland, alpine areas of the South Island and Southland," Dr Salinger said.
He said air and soil temperatures were likely to be above average.
Dr Salinger said the South Island would remain drier than normal, with river flows and soil moisture content below what it normally was, while the North Island was likely to experience wet and mild conditions.
- NZHERALD STAFF
