Long, dry summer in the east expected

South Islanders can expect above-average temperatures over summer, pointing to happy campers but not so happy farmers.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research has released its climate outlook for December to February.

Canterbury, with below-average rainfall, soil moisture and stream flows, will remain dry, while the West Coast will have above-average rainfall.

Canterbury's dry months will be coupled with above-average temperatures.

Nelson, Marlborough and Buller can expect above-average temperatures but normal rainfall, soil moisture levels and stream flows for the three months.

The West Coast, Southern Alps and foothills, inland Otago and Southland should have average or above-average temperatures, with normal rainfall, soil-moisture levels and stream flows.

Forecasters say the outlook shows little rain until February, signalling little relief for farmers already struggling with a spring drought.

Parallels are being drawn with the long, hot summer of 1997-98, when Christchurch and the region sweltered in frequent 30deg-plus temperatures.

The warm north-westerlies have already caused scrub fires and pushed the fire risk to extreme in places.

In North Canterbury, the foothills and some inland basins, there has been little more than 10mm of rain since early September.

FORECASTCanterbury: dry. West Coast: above-average rainfall. Nelson, Marlborough and Buller: normal rainfall. The West Coast, Southern Alps, Otago and Southland: normal rainfall. --------------------

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