Not even a last-minute polar blast would have stopped Dunedin from equalling its warmest start to a year.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's Musselburgh station calculated a mean air temperature of 13.4degC over the first five months and 27 days in June, a 1.3degC rise above normal.
Comparatively, 1999 also had a mean air temperature of 13.4degC.
The record-setting statistics come after a release on Tuesday announcing New Zealand's warmest six-month start to a year.
Niwa climate variability and change principal scientist Dr Brett Mullan said Dunedin city would get "extremely close'' to posting the warmest six-month start to a year on record and would probably equal it.
"I think it likely that 2016 will end up tied for first place with 1999,'' Dr Mullan said.
"For 2016 to be in clear first place ... June will have to come in at 9.7degC, 2.4degC above average. I don't think we'll make that.''
June's average air temperature was tracking at 9.1degC and, with three days to go when the statistics were gathered, was unlikely to rise to 9.7degC, he said.
The warmer than average year would continue, he predicted. Niwa's seasonal climate outlook, due to be released today, forecast a "high probability'' of the next three months having above average temperatures, Mr Mullan said.
Warmer Tasman Sea temperatures, northwest winds and a warming earth were the catalysts for what was on track to be one of the warmest years recorded, Niwa National Climate Centre principal scientist Chris Brandolino said.
This was both a blessing and a curse for wildlife.
Department of Conservation services manager David Agnew said a less harsh winter would be beneficial for some species, such as young albatross on Otago Peninsula but it also meant predator numbers would probably grow.
"It's a bob either way,'' he said.
The unusually warm temperatures did not bode well for skifields - Coronet Peak is closed and has axed its night skiing set to start tonight.
