Dunedin had a dry and sunny September in what was an unremarkable month for weather in Otago.
September was characterised by higher pressures than usual over the Tasman Sea and lower pressures to the east and south of the country which produced more southwest winds than normal, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said.
The September climate summary showed it was a dry month for most regions, except for Southland which had 120% to 149% of its normal rainfall, and central Otago which had normal rainfall.
However, soil moisture levels were already below normal for the time of year in Central Otago.
The only records nearly reached in Otago for the month were for sunshine with Dunedin recording 190 hours, 149% of normal, its third highest since records began and Balclutha which also recorded 190 hours, 141% of normal, and its second highest for the month.
Dunedin's mean temperature was 9.3degC for the month and its rainfall, at 26mm (49%), was well below normal.
Niwa was predicting similar conditions would continue for Otago through to December.
Its seasonal climate outlook suggested La Nina conditions were redeveloping in the tropical Pacific and would build through spring and summer.
That means near average temperatures and normal to below normal rainfall for the next few months. Soil moisture and river levels were expected to be below normal.
