Forecast for autumn released

After a lacklustre summer, an average autumn appears to be on its the way, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's (Niwa) national climate centre says.

The current El Nino weather pattern was likely to weaken towards neutral conditions by the end of autumn, indicating near-normal rainfalls and temperatures in most places, according to Niwa's seasonal climate outlook.

Rainfall totals were likely to be in the normal range in the North Island and the north of the South Island, normal or above normal in the western South Island, and normal or below normal in Canterbury and Otago.

Sea level pressures were likely to be higher than normal to the north of the country, associated with slightly stronger than normal westerlies over the country on average for March-May.

Current dry soil conditions were likely to continue in the north of the North Island and the east of the South Island, where below normal stream flows and soil moisture levels were likely through to May.

- NZPA