Record warm temperatures for start of May

The sun is staying out for longer in New Zealand this year (Getty)
The sun is staying out for longer in New Zealand this year (Getty)

If you're wondering when you'll get the chance to break into your winter wardrobe, you may be waiting a while.

NIWA says temperatures over the next three months are very likely to be above average across the country, and records are already being broken for May.

Today saw an end of an autumn dip, on what feels more like a summer day. People were sunbathing and playing in fountains around New Zealand.

"It's fantastic; summer hasn't ended. It's great," a member of the public told Newshub.

Napier hit 24.3degC today -- a record for May -- and tomorrow is expected to be even warmer.

"We're talking temperatures low to mid-20s in May," says NIWA principal forecasting scientist Chris Brandolino.

"This isn't March; this is May. I think we're going to see that continuing for the next several days, even couple of weeks, at least."

Today in Auckland the mercury hit 22degC. Usually for May the high is around 18degC.

It was 19degC in Wellington. Usually it's around 15degC.

While Christchurch got 23degC, the Garden City also usually hits a high of only 15degC in May.

NIWA says temperatures for the next three months are very likely to be above average in all regions.

"There will be cold snaps and frosts, but the winter probably not going to be like it was last winter," says Mr Brandolino.

Auckland restaurants are crediting the warm weather with a boost in business.

"Compared to last year, this is 25 percent more," says restaurant owner Hardi Wisata.

Overall NIWA says that so far 2016 has been one of the warmest starts to the year since records began more than 100 years ago.

But NIWA says there may be more downpours and significant storms over winter, although on a day like today that seems a difficult to imagine.

Newshub.