Above average temperatures are on the cards for the Bay of Plenty, with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Science predicting a warm spring.

NIWA's seasonal climate outlook for the next three months shows a warm quarter with average or above average temperatures for the region.

Temperatures and rainfall levels are expected to be normal for this time of the year.

There is a 40-45 per cent chance of temperatures being average or above average, and the same chance rainfall totals will be normal or above normal.

'Soil moisture and river flows are about equally likely to (35–40 per cent chance) to be in the near normal or above normal range in all North Island regions,” the report states.

During September – November, mean sea level pressures are expected to be lower than normal across most of the country.

NIWA says this pressure pattern is expected to be accompanied by anomalous easterly flow and perturbed conditions.

'Sea surface temperatures for the coming months are expected to be near average around the coasts of New Zealand.”

Currently, the weather outlook sees a low over the Tasman Sea which is expected to move eastwards, crossing the North Island on Friday and Saturday.

This low is expected to bring periods of rain or showers to much of the North Island, especially northern and eastern areas.

The MetService warns there is a low risk of heavy rain from the Coromandel Peninsula to the Bay of Plenty.