NZ’s National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research comments in seasonal outlook, published Monday in Wellington.
- El Niño is expected to ease by June
- La Niña conditions are then favored to develop between July and September
- Northeasterly winds tend to become more common during La Niña events, bringing moist, rainy conditions to northeastern areas of the North Island and reduced rainfall to the lower and western South Island
- Warmer than average air and sea temperatures can occur around New Zealand during La Niña