It has been an extreme year for weather, with snow, rain and gale-force winds, but summer is finally here and the Wairarapa weather outlook is good for farmers and holiday-makers.
The Niwa National Climate Centre expects a mild La Nina summer and indicates temperatures are likely to be near averageor above average across most of the country.
La Nina conditions are likely to continue through the summer, although it is unlikely the current conditions will be as strong as the previous La Nina event of 2010-11, and Weatherwatch head analyst Philip Duncan says this means the Wairarapa summer will probably be hotter than last year.
"The weaker La Nina, the hotter the temperatures are likely to be because it brings more easterlies. With the Wairarapa being where it is, it really doesn't matter whether it's a La Nina or not, it's still going to be just as hot."
The hot weather will also bring with it slightly above average rainfall, which Mr Duncan says is good for farmers.
"La Nina brings more easterlies which means more rain which is good for farmers and the hot, humid weather will be good for holiday-makers - it will definitely feel like summer."
He said the recent unpredictable weather was due to highs "constantly going north and missing the lower part of the North Island".
"It's been a windy spring with a few cold southerlies coming through, but the highs should be dropping down southwards giving the Wairarapa sunny day weather pretty soon."
