Warmer autumn is predicted

NEW ZEALAND could be in for a warmer-than-normal late summerautumn, according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa).

The climate agency predicts there is a 45-50 per cent chance that temperatures will be in the above normal range for all regions.

Rainfall is most likely (45-50 per cent chance) to be in the nearnormal range in the north of the North Island and north and west of the South Island, but there is a 35-40 per cent chance of rainfall being near-normal or below normal in the South Island east coast.

In the east and west of the North Island, rainfall is equally likely (35-40 per cent chance) to be near or above normal.