On paper, we are in the middle of winter, but according to Mother Nature - and many of you - spring is already here.

Winter can be defined as a season that brings death and decay to the wild - whereas spring brings new life.

Is New Zealand experiencing an early spring? Photo: File.

And according to Weatherwatch.co.nz, across New Zealand we are seeing new life and positive growth rates.

'A few pockets of farmers in the deep south have reported some July grass growth,” says a spokesperson, 'while growers in northern New Zealand are saying the buds are already out.”

Many people have written to Weatherwatch following Philip Duncan's opinion piece on an early spring, with reports that lambing and calving is now underway and buds and blooms are appearing.

And according to the weather organisation, this isn't usually how you'd describe the absolute depths of winter.

Long range forecasts show August is likely to start off fairly mild nationwide, with plenty of westerly quarter winds.

But the stark message is, don't become complacent.

'Spring may be showing some firm early signs this year, but winter weather is still with us,” they add.

'In fact, even over the next 48 hours we have a cold southerly moving in with snow to a few hundred metres over southern parts of the South Island and hail showers to sea level in a number of regions in both islands.

'Snow storms can pop up in August to sea level in New Zealand - and nationwide polar blasts can occur as late as October.

'But when you're in July mixing warm days with cold and then you add windier westerly weather, plant growth and animals being born, it is very hard to look at a calendar and say ‘yep, we still have two long months of winter left'.”