The early spring weather pattern is continuing to firm up across New Zealand reports WeatherWatch.co.nz as temperatures jump into the late teens this morning.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says that temperatures as of 11am had already reached 18 degrees in Gisborne and across Hawkes Bay while Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty were on 17.   The weather news authority predicts those in the east will climb into the lower 20s this afternoon.

Tomorrow a brief southerly change will see snow falling to low levels in the southern and eastern South Island but head weather analyst Philip Duncan says that is all part of spring weather and that it’s unlikely to affect any main centres.  “We can have spring snow storms as late as November so that doesn’t undo my theory that spring has arrived early.  Overall most New Zealanders are enjoying milder weather at the moment”.

But while most New Zealanders may be enjoying milder weather not all regions are – Southland, Otago and Canterbury continue to see cold weather while the West Coast continues it’s run of mild conditions.

Country99TV has been reporting that farmers around the North Island have been commenting on the mild weather saying it’s produced good grass growth for this time of the year and even farmers in on the West Coast have seen warm soil temperatures.  Many farmers in the North Island feel that spring started a few weeks ago.

The early spring may not be good for all farmers though.  While many are still trying to catch up from drought conditions earlier this year the La Nina spring conditions could prove to be a very wet one, including Bay of Plenty and the east coast of the North Island.

Homepage image: Ruakaka / Ben Haarmann