Otago is on track to have a windy spring with what looks like the development of a major El Nino weather pattern, MetService says.
Weather patterns this winter had been ''a traditional winter response to El Nino'', meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said.
''We have been colder for the last two months, with lots more southerlies.''
Ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific had also risen 2degC above normal, an El Nino response not seen since 1997-98.
''No-one's saying it's going to be as bad as 1997-98 yet; it's too early to tell,'' Ms Griffiths said.
''But we've got a way to go, with some further strengthening to come.''
She urged farmers to ''find out what El Nino does in your region''.
In Otago, El Nino would usher in a ''rough and tumble'' spring, with more wind and cooler temperatures than average.
El Nino would also cause Otago to dry out about November, but that did not necessarily mean there would be another drought this summer, Ms Griffiths said.
''Droughts occur in Otago for a variety of reasons.
''There's no guarantee - it's a bit early to say.''
