The national climate centre at NIWA is offering some hope of relief from the wet conditions that made the start of spring such a challenge for farmers and growers.
Principal climate scientist Brett Mullan says the seasonal outlook, which averages weather patterns for the next three months, is picking a continuation of higher than normal spring temperatures and generally drier conditions.
Independent forecaster Ken Ring, who bases his predictions on moon and tide cycles, agrees that parts of the country will be drier than normal. However, he forecasts more wet and cold weather in other regions through October.
Mr Ring says November will be quite wet from Northland to Bay of Plenty and Taupo to Hawke's Bay.
But he says they will need it because next year will be much drier than average, leading to another drought in Northland and Bay of Plenty.
Mr Ring had forecast the September weather that brought snow storms to the southern South Island.
For September, NIWA projected above average temperatures with normal or below normal rainfall in the North Island and normal to wetter than normal in the South Island.
But the agency also pointed out there was potential for short-term, cold snaps typical of spring within those averaged conditions.
