A slightly warmer winter than normal, is on the way.

NIWA predicts temperatures are likely to be above average for this time of the year for most of the country and despite this week’s torrential downpours, rainfall is likely to be near normal for winter.

Despite the likelihood of milder weather though, NIWA says there will still be typical winter cold snaps and frosty periods to contend with.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan agrees, saying a La Nina pattern is possibly developing which will bring warmer and wetter conditions to northern New Zealand.

“We’ve seen wetter conditions lately and plenty of northern Tasman Sea development.  Also, with recent highs in the Southern Ocean it’s certainly showing signs that winter will start off next week milder than usual”.