WeatherWatch.co.nz’s head weather analyst Philip Duncan is advising people not to worry too much just yet about the increasingly dry conditions spreading across the nation.

Feedback received by the weather news authority shows that Northland, Taranaki and Nelson appear to be the driest areas with Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Otago also dry.

“Yes, for some in the north this is a repeat of what we had at this time last year however there is one important difference – we are in La Nina this year” says Philip Duncan.

“That means we are likely to see normal or even above normal rainfall for many of these dry areas”.

Mr Duncan says a weak low today just north of New Zealand, and a potential low forming in the Coral Sea next week, are all early signs that perhaps the wetter weather is starting to build.  “It would be strange to see the incredibly dry weather of October and November continuing on through summer when we have La Nina.  It’s not out of the question but certainly it’s not something we’re expecting”.

Extra dry conditions for some regions may last well into December however both WeatherWatch.co.nz and NIWA are expecting rain clouds to move back in over the coming weeks and months, hopefully reversing the drying trends.