It followed the national trend with New Zealand experiencing its warmest June on record with an average temperature of 10.3degC, 1.9degC above the average for the country's seven station temperature series, Niwa meteorologist Chris Brandolino said.
''It was an exceptionally warm start to winter. The winds have been basically from the northeast.
''You have not been getting the southerlies which bring rain and colder temperatures.''
That also meant it was very dry along Otago's coast, with Dunedin recording 12mm (21% of normal), its second-driest June since records began in 1918, which also made it the driest of New Zealand's six main centres, he said.
The Musselburgh station also recorded its highest mean daily maximum 12.4degC (1.8degC above normal) since 1947 and the airport recorded its highest mean daily temperature since records began in 1962.
Similar conditions were experienced around Otago, with Ranfurly recording its warmest June since 1975 when records began, with a mean temperature of 4.8degC (2degC above normal), including its third-highest minimum temperature of -1degC.
Oamaru recorded its second-warmest June on record with an average, second-highest mean daily temperature of 8.2degC (1.1degC above normal) and second-highest mean minimum temperature of 3.6degC (1degC above normal).
In contrast, Middlemarch was the only climate station to experience a mean temperature that was not above average, he said.
In Oamaru, its second-highest maximum wind gust of 78kmh was recorded on June 21.
Queenstown also experienced a sunny month, recording its second-sunniest June since records began in 1930 with 119 hours.
Mr Brandolino said it was coincidental that New Zealand had a dry June when El Nino conditions were brewing.
A look at weather patterns for July to September showed while El Nino conditions were growing, the ''coupling'' of the ocean and atmosphere across the equatorial Pacific was needed before an El Nino event was declared.
''We think that might happen October, November or December.''
In the meantime, temperatures in Otago were expected to continue to be near average or above while rainfall was expected to be about normal for the time of year.
