Summer in the Bay of Plenty is expected to be warmer than average, say Niwa climate experts.
The organisation has published its outlook for January through to March, predicting temperatures in the Bay of Plenty to most likely be above average, while rainfall is predicted to be near or above average and soil moisture levels in the near-normal range. River flows are also predicted to be in the near-normal range.
Forecast information from local and global guidance models is used to indicate any deviation from equal chance expected for the period but are most likely outcomes, not definites.
Niwa said the equatorial Pacific Ocean continued in a neutral state - neither El Nino nor La Nina - in December 2013. For the coming three months, lower-than-normal pressures are forecast in the Tasman Sea, and over and north of New Zealand, while higher-than-normal pressure conditions are forecast to the southeast of the country. At the same time, sea surface temperatures are expected to remain above average around all New Zealand.
MetService has predicted a fine weekend for Rotorua.