"After an extremely wet winter for the west and south of the South Island,and between Taranaki and the Kapiti Coast, many people are keen to know how  the start of spring might unfold," she said. 

It was the wettest winter on record for Hokitika Airport, with 1092mm of rain observed, about 150% of winter normal. Record-breaking winter rainfall was also experienced at Palmerston North (413mm, the wettest winter since records began in 1943) and Wanganui (396mm, 4th wettest winter in observations since 1890).

"After a stormy start to September, we should then see a progressive shift towards more highs over the country," said Griffiths. "The first week of  the month should produce significant rain for all regions of the country,  including useful rain into the relatively dry eastern areas. But for the  remainder of the month, normal to below normal rainfall is predicted for  all areas," she added.

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