Weather predictions for next three months

Cold snaps and frosts are expected to happen periodically around the country. File photo

Climate experts are predicting a cooler, drier season around the country for the next three months.

According to NIWA's latest seasonal climate outlook September to November temperatures have a 40-45 per cent chance to be average or below average for the North Island and in the North of the South Island.

Mean temperatures for the season as a whole are expected to have a 50 per cent chance to be below average for the west and east of the South Island.

Cold snaps and frosts are expected to happen periodically around the country.

When it comes to rain NIWA is predicting a 45 - 50 per cent chance of below normal rainfall for the north and east of the North Island, and a 35 - 40 per cent chance to be near normal or below normal in the west of the North Island and the north and east of the South Island.

There's also a 45 per cent chance of normal rainfall for the west of the South Island.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty

40% chance of near average or below average temperatures
45% chance of below average rainfall
45% chance of below average soil moisture
50% chance of below river flows

Central North Island, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington

40% chance of near average or below average temperatures
40% chance of below average rainfall
40%chance of below average soil moisture
40% chance of below average river flows

Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa

40% chance of near average or below average temperatures
50% chance of below average rainfall
50% chance of below average soil moisture
50% chance of below average river flows

Nelson, Marlborough, Buller

45 per cent chance of below average temperatures
40% chance of below average rainfall
45% chance of below average soil moisture
40% chance of below average river flows

West Coast, Alps and foothills, inland Otago, Southland

50% chance of below average temperature
45% chance of near average rainfall
40% chance of near average soil moisture
40% chance of near average river flows

Coastal Canterbury, east Otago

50% chance of below average temperature
40% chance of near average rainfall
50% chance of below average soil moisture
50% chance of below average river flows