Rotorua has just had its warmest first half of the year on record - but the last month of winter looks set to be a cold one.
The average temperature in the first half of 2016, recorded at Rotorua Airport, was 15.4C, which is 1.4C above average. That ranked as the warmest first half of a year since Rotorua Airport observations began in 1964.
However, MetService Meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said temperatures were back to more typical levels this month, with the current average sitting at 17.8C, which is exactly the average for July.
"It looks likely that the abnormal warmth experienced across New Zealand for the first half of 2016 has come to an end," she said.
In fact, a rather cold period is signalled from this weekend and for next week - as we enter August.