Mild spring expected

New Zealand can look forward to a mild spring with average or above temperatures forecast for both the North and South Islands for the next three months.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) said it expected the North Island to experience above average temperatures for the season, September to November, while the South Island could expect normal temperatures.

Rainfalls in the east of the North Island and north of the South Island were expected to be normal or above, while normal rainfall was likely in the other districts.

More anticylcones were expected east of the South Island with weaker spring westerly winds over New Zealand.

Sea temperatures around New Zealand were likely to be near or above average.

- NZPA