Weather: Time running out for 'true winter' to kick in

We're nearly half-way through July and time is running out for "true winter" to kick in.

That's the message from weather forecaster WeatherWatch, which says temperatures are rising and New Zealand may have already reached "peak winter".

"We're now in the second week of July and in a couple more weeks you'll notice the growing daylight hours," it says.

"The weather pattern is generally about to become much warmer than normal for July."

Long-range data shows New Zealand will have at least two weeks of mostly westerlies, which bring milder weather. We may also see more sub-tropical northerlies coming back.

"The blustery westerly pattern in the Southern Ocean is common all year round but when it surges like this up and over New Zealand it brings in spring and autumn-like weather conditions," WeatherWatch says.

"The peak of winter cold is usually from now until the middle of August. So if the rest of July is looking warmer than normal it really does limit how much time is left to 'feel like winter'."

Newshub.