A mild winter with warmer temperatures than usual is likely, the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research says.
Releasing its outlook for June, July and August, NIWA says the El Nino effect has brought high temperatures to the north of the country since last winter.
It says there have also been strong southwest winds and cool temperatures for the South Island and bottom half of the North Island.
But principal scientist James Renwick says there are signs a La Nina pattern may be forming. That would form consistent weather patterns by spring, involving rain in previously dry areas and vice versa.
