Drier, warmer than usual: Niwa

Coastal Otago is expected to remain drier and warmer than normal in the coming months, the National Institute of Atmospheric Research says.

In its May to June climate summary, Niwa has predicted coastal Otago soil moisture levels and stream flows were very likely to be below normal.

Temperatures were likely to be in the average or the above average category and seasonal rainfall totals were likely to be in the normal or below normal range.

In Inland Otago, temperatures were also expected to be above average, while rainfall, stream flows and soil moisture levels were likely to near or above normal.

Niwa principal climate scientist Jim Renwick said the El Nino was fading fast and likely to be gone by June leaving neutral conditions during winter.

Although temperatures were expected to be warmer, short-term cold snaps typical of winter would still occur, he said.

Stronger than normal westerlies were expected over New Zealand for the next few months due to lower than normal sea level pressures to the south of the country, he said.

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