The climate pattern known as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, or ENSO for short, was officially declared locally by NIWA this month. With ENSO the country will see dramatic temperture swings and stronger than usual winds. Prevailing westerlies may lead to prolonged dry spells in the north and east of both islands as summer progresses.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2023/10/06/wildfire-risk-in-el-nino-expert-reaction/