There's little good news for farmers in NIWA's latest climate outlook report with dry conditions set to continue.
Soil moisture is currently well below normal for this time of year in many regions, especially across parts of the upper South Island.
- Weather: New Zealand drying out faster than usual
- Another El Niño likely to hit New Zealand this summer - NIWA
The NIWA report says the expectation is for below normal moisture levels (40 to 45 percent chance) or near normal (40 percent chance) for all regions of New Zealand from October to December.
Rainfall is also forecast to be below normal or near normal for all regions of New Zealand except the east of the North Island, where near normal rainfall is most likely (45 percent chance).
Temperatures are forecast to be average (45 percent chance) for all regions of New Zealand except the north of the South Island, where temperatures are forecast to be below average (40 percent chance) or near average (35 percent chance).
The report also says weather patterns may mean cold nights and mornings, as well as the potential for late-season frosts and fog, particularly during the month of October.
Newshub.