Weather: New Zealand on track for warmer than average spring after 'disappointing winter'

New Zealand has a 60 percent chance of having a warmer than average spring this year, according to a NIWA meteorologist.

Experts say Kiwis are in for a warmer and drier spring after one of the warmest winters among records.

"Snowfall has been down from several locations across the South Island through the Winter season," says meteorologist Ben Noll.

"And that's on the back of a winter season that looks to finish in the top three warmest on record."

Skiers in Mount Ruapehu, however, say it's been a "disappointing" winter season.

"I think people who have worked here for a long time have told me that this has been one of the most disappointing winters they've seen in terms of the snow,"  says Saifan Rashid, Chateau Tongariro hotel manager.

Drier than usual weather for the lower North Island and parts of the South Island is expected, which could see dam levels lower than expected.

As of today, Auckland's dams are around 66 percent full while it would typically be closer to 89 percent.

Watercare chief executive Raveen Jaduram says Auckland has been "tremendous" in its efforts to conserve water.

"Our target by the end of October is to get to 75, normally we are at 90 or above, at this rate we may be above 75."

In Spring the La Nina phenomenon ocean temperatures that can influence our climate patterns could also come into play. 

"We are expected to be tilting towards the La Nina side of the spectrum and that could bring us more north easterly winds here in New Zealand," Noll said.

And that means late Spring, in particular, could turn dry for much of the country.