Those in the South Island and the lower North Island can expect spring-like conditions to extend well into December this year predicts WeatherWatch.co.nz – despite a calm start to December expected.

The weather news authority says the current pattern is already showing signs of easing for the top half of the North Island, with an increase in drier, calmer, warmer days and a decrease in heavy rain events.

This pattern doesn’t look set to change too much for northerners, meaning drizzle is more likely than rain, a brisk wind is more likely than a gale.

But if you live in the lower North Island or across much of the South Island – don’t expect a switch to be flicked on for summer when December suddenly turns up.

That doesn’t mean it wil be cold – in fact we see a number of hot days with the nor’westers blowing.

But the trend of “unsettled’ continues – that means more severe weather warnings are likey next month, like heavy rain on the West Coast and gales inland and about middle New Zealand.

December is usually a transition month – and it’s quite normal for spring weather to continue well into December.  But this year it may be a little more pronounced for some – although WeatherWatch.co.nz still expects a mostly settled first week to December for much of the country.

A hot, dry, summer is still expected especially for many northern, north eastern, eastern and inland areas of both islands.

Due to the frequent sou’west wind flows it stands to reason that Southland and the West Coast may take a little longer to get into a drier more settled weather pattern this year – but even these regions get some nice big highs early into December….after all, spring is slowly on the way out now as summer starts to slide in.

image / File, David Hawke

– WeatherWatch.co.nz