Dry summer likely in Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa

Forecasters say Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa are in for a hot dry summer that could lead to another drought.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research is expecting rainfall on the East Coast of the North Island to be less than normal.

Its meteorologist Chris Brandolino said the soil moisture for the area was slightly above normal because of a few wet weather patterns in spring.

However, he said people should not have a false sense of security because the moisture could quickly drop.

Mr Brandolino said the region was used to low rainfall over the summer, but this year's El Nino could make the area even dryer because wet weather patterns were looking sparse.