NIWA Anticipates Warmer-Than-Average Temperatures Are Most Likely For The East Of Both Islands Until Christmas

NIWA anticipates warmer-than-average temperatures are most likely for the east of both Islands until Christmas. The remainder of the country is equally likely to experience near-average or above average temperatures over the same period. Above-normal rainfall is likely for the west of the South Island. The north and east of the North Island are likely to have below-normal rainfall. The remainder of the country has a chance of below-normal rainfall through the end of 2023. Most of the South Island is likely to have near-normal soil moisture through to Christmas except for the top of the South, which has a risk of below-normal soil moisture. The west of the North Island is likely to have either below-normal or near-normal soil moisture. The remainder of the North Island is likely to have below-normal soil moisture through to Christmas.