Milder winter expected

The chances of a repeat of last year's icy, snowy winter weather are looking slim, according to climate agency Niwa.

In Niwa's May to July outlook, near average to above average temperatures are predicted for Wairarapa, leading to a slightly milder than usual early winter period.

At the same time though, near normal to above normal rainfall is expected for the region - making for a slightly wetter and warmer start to winter.

Niwa senior climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said it was, overall, "reasonably wettish".

"It's a milder than usual start to winter, although things are ramping down for winter," she said.

She added that there was a chance of an El Nino system hitting the region after July, which would mean lower temperatures, although the actual chances of that happening would become clearer soon.

In the short term, MetService said a southwesterly was due to hit Wairarapa today, bringing cooler temperatures and showery breaks.

"It is definitely going to feel very much like autumn," MetService lead forecaster Leigh Matheson said.

Last year's winter brought large amounts of snow to Wairarapa, with one memorable snowstorm in August the heaviest in the area since 1939.