Niwa is predicting more summer-like weather - especially in northern and eastern areas - through autumn. Niwa's latest outlook for the next three months picked more long, hot dry spells around the country - and potentially less rainfall in those northern and eastern places feeling most of the heat. In the South Island, there was also a high risk around McKenzie Country, and large parts of coastal Marlborough and central and northern Otago. Over the next three months, Niwa predicted above average temperatures in the north - and near to above average temperatures elsewhere. Noll noted that this dry outlook followed what was a similarly sweltering summer last year, resulting in Auckland's worst drought in 25 years.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 08, 2021 01:27 UTC