KEY POINTS:
New Zealanders can look forward to warm days for the rest of the summer with above average temperatures.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) is predicting above average temperatures for the whole of the South Island and the west of the North Island.
In all regions there was only a 10-20 per cent chance of below average temperatures, Niwa said.
Above normal rainfall was likely in the upper North Island, while below normal rainfall was likely in the South Island.
Soil moisture levels were likely to be below normal in the west of the North Island and west, south and east of the South, but above normal in northern New Zealand.
Niwa said any rainfall in drier areas might not revive pasture because it took several days for rain to soak into the soil.
A moderate to strong La Nina weather system was expected to bring more easterly and north-easterly winds than normal in the North Island, and lighter than normal winds in the South Island.
The La Nina, which was in progress across the entire equatorial and tropical Pacific, was expected to persist through autumn.
- NZPA
