Climate scientists are forecasting a milder than usual start to winter, with above average temperatures likely over much of the country.
The May to July seasonal outlook by the national climate centre, NIWA, suggests mean temperatures are likely to be above average in the North Island and either average or above average in the South Island.
It says the El Nino weather pattern that brought windy dry weather to northern and eastern parts of the country is fading and is likely to be gone by June.
NIWA says eastern parts of both main islands are likely to experience normal or below normal rainfall but drier parts of the country are likely to remain parched during the coming months.
