Winter still on hold

Marine heatwave conditions are likely to continue to delay the arrival of cooler temperatures in many parts of the country, Niwa says in its Seasonal Climate Outlook for May to July. The only areas that might experience average temperatures for the next three months are the top of the South Island, coastal Canterbury and eastOtago. Coastalwater temperatures had stayed above average during April, with the variation from normal becoming greater in all areas, except the western South Island, Niwa said. All areas, except the eastern North Island, had marine heatwave conditions at the end of April. Rainfall is about equally likely to be near normal or belownormal in the west of the North Island and north and east of the South Island in the next three months. It was likely to be near or above normal in the north and east of the North Island, and near normal in the west of the South Island.