Niwa is predicting a hotter and drier summer than usual for New Zealand as a La Nina weather pattern kicks in.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) seasonal climate outlook for November to January predicts temperatures across New Zealand will be above average, but backs away from suggesting drought is likely.
La Nina is typically associated with northeasterly flows, which lead to milder-than-normal temperatures overall.
Niwa meteorologist-forecaster Seth Carrier said northeasterly winds could ''pull'' moisture from the eastern Pacific, resulting in more rain near the coast, which was why the report predicted ''near normal'' levels of rainfall for coastal areas.
However, the South Island will be on watch after October was one of the driest months on record.
And the continued dry and hot weather could be ''problematic'' for agriculture.
Farmers need above-average rain to recover - but that's not likely in the next three months.
Niwa also predicted average water temperatures on the east coast would be warmer than usual in the next three months.
The North Island may get more humid days than usual.
The official summer outlook will be released in a month.
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