Endless summer set to continue

Otago is having an endless summer - and it's set to continue.

It was the sixth-warmest April on record in New Zealand, according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.

Niwa statistics released yesterday show Dunedin Airport recorded its highest mean maximum air temperature for the month of April at 19.2degC.

It was a 2.8degC departure from normal.

The Musselburgh station recorded its second-highest mean maximum air temperature for April with 17.7degC. Balclutha was not to be outdone, recording a mean of 17.9degC last month.

Masterton topped the country, on record readings, with a 22degC mean maximum temperature for April.

Niwa National Climate Centre principal scientist Chris Brandolino said Niwa was forecasting warmer-than-normal weather for the next three months but warned of cold snaps, one in the second half of this month.

‘‘It's one of the warmest starts to the calendar year on record.

‘‘Some of the losers might be the skifields.

‘‘People can certainly get out and enjoy the warm weather,'' Mr Brandolino said.

The warmer weather was due to a lack of southerlies and high pressure dominating the country ‘‘acting like a shield'' to low pressure, he said.

One other highlight was Queenstown recording its second-highest number of April sunshine hours - 185, 127% above normal.