Whanganui could be drier and hotter than usual as Niwa releases three monthly Seasonal Climate Outlook

Niwa's seasonal climate outlook suggests conditions will be perfect for people such as Geoff Erickson who enjoys surfing at the North Mole. Photo / Bevan Conley

It could be drier and hotter than usual in Whanganui this summer.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) has released its three-month seasonal climate outlook for November 2018 to January 2019.

Temperatures in the central North Island have a 45 per cent chance of being above average and a 40 per cent chance of being near average during that time period.

The central North Island includes Taranaki, Manawatū, Wellington and Whanganui.

The temperatures in every New Zealand region have been forecast with the same probability as the central North Island.

Meanwhile, rainfall has a 40 per cent chance of being below normal and a 35 per cent chance of being near normal.

Rainfall is expected to be below or near normal in most New Zealand regions.

During October, the ocean made significant strides towards El Nino conditions and the expectation is for non-traditional El Nino to develop with an 88 per cent chance over the next three months.

Frequent high pressure systems are expected throughout New Zealand in November as are westerly quarter air flow anomalies throughout the entire three months. Periodic easterly quarter air flows are also possible.

Click here to see an in-depth report.