While we are officially into winter, temperatures around the north of the country have been warmer than the usual frosty starts and freezing nights.
But NIWA scientists are warning a cold spell is on its way.
NIWA's autumn climate summary found this year was the second-equal warmest autumn on record.
"We still got a bit of an autumn hangover," NIWA climate scientist Nava Fedaeff told Newshub Live at 8pm.
"We still have our warm seas surrounding the country kind-of acting like a blanket to bring warmth and we've had a lot of winds from the north, a warm place."
But Fedaeff warns this time next week will be a completely different picture.
She said this winter will be a "mixed bag" with a significant and potentially prolonged cold spell coming at the end of next week for about ten days.
"Mother Nature is really going to open the fridge door."
But after that spell passes the rest of winter is looking on the warmer side due to a lack of southerlies, but Fedaeff said we can't rule out a few cold snaps.
Looking shortly ahead, MetService is warning of more wet days ahead, with possible thunderstorms in the western parts of the country on Sunday.
