The warm summer days and nights being experienced in the Bay of plenty are likely to continue for the start of autumn.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Science predicts seasonal climate outlook for February to April shows a warm quarter with near or above average temperatures.

The warm temperatures look set to stay as we head into autumn.

Over February to April, while air temperatures in the Bay of Plenty are predicted to be above average, rainfall, soil moisture and river flows are all expected to be near average to below average.

'Strong El Niño conditions continued in the tropical Pacific during January,” says NIWA.

'International guidance indicates that El Niño conditions will continue over the next three months (February – April) and will rapidly decay thereafter, with a return to normal conditions or a transition to La Niña conditions by August – October.”

For February - April above normal pressure is forecast to the north of New Zealand, while below normal pressure is expected to the south of the country.

This circulation pattern is likely to be accompanied by anomalous westerly wind flows – a signature consistent with El Niño.

For more information visit NIWA's website at: www.niwa.co.nz