Niwa predicts "near normal, early" summer

Summer is likely to arrive early and be normal to dry in the North Island, says the National Climate Centre.

Predictions released today by NIWA say for the early summer season, rainfall is likely to be near normal or below normal in all North Island regions.

Air temperatures from November to January are likely to be average or above average in the north and east of the North Island, and near average in other regions.  

For Central North Island, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington, early summer temperatures are "likely to be near average".

There is an 80 per cent probability that rainfall in the region will be around average or below.

Soil moisture levels and river flows are also all likely to be near normal or below normal this summer.

- © Fairfax NZ News