A breathing assistance apparatus that provides a flow of gases to a patient, the breathing assistance apparatus comprising: at least one gases flow path configured to direct the flow of gases to the patient; a gases flow inlet configured to receive the flow of gases from a gases flow source; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the flow of gases; and a gases flow rate sensing system configured to measure a gases flow rate of the flow of gases, characterized in that the gases flow rate sensing system comprises a thermistor circuit configured to operate in a first thermistor target temperature mode based on the measured temperature of the flow of gases being in a first temperature sub- range defined by a first temperature value and a second temperature value, the second temperature value being greater than the first temperature value, the thermistor circuit is configured to operate in a second thermistor target temperature mode based on the measured temperature of the flow of gases being in a second temperature sub-range defined by a third temperature value and a fourth temperature value, the fourth temperature value being greater than the third temperature value, the third temperature value being less than the second temperature value and greater than the first temperature value; wherein the first thermistor target temperature mode corresponds to a first thermistor target temperature, and wherein the second target temperature mode corresponds to a second thermistor target temperature; wherein the first thermistor target temperature is lower than the second thermistor target temperature; wherein the gases flow rate sensing system is configured to change from the first thermistor target temperature mode to the second thermistor target temperature mode in response to the measured temperature of the flow of gases exceeding the second temperature value; and wherein the gases flow rate sensing system is configured to change from the second thermistor target temperature mode to the first thermistor target temperature mode in response to the measured temperature of the flow of gases falling below the third temperature value. at least one gases flow path configured to direct the flow of gases to the patient; a gases flow inlet configured to receive the flow of gases from a gases flow source; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the flow of gases; and a gases flow rate sensing system configured to measure a gases flow rate of the flow of gases, characterized in that the gases flow rate sensing system comprises a thermistor circuit configured to operate in a first thermistor target temperature mode based on the measured temperature of the flow of gases being in a first temperature sub- range defined by a first temperature value and a second temperature value, the second temperature value being greater than the first temperature value, the thermistor circuit is configured to operate in a second thermistor target temperature mode based on the measured temperature of the flow of gases being in a second temperature sub-range defined by a third temperature value and a fourth temperature value, the fourth temperature value being greater than the third temperature value, the third temperature value being less than the second temperature value and greater than the first temperature value; wherein the first thermistor target temperature mode corresponds to a first thermistor target temperature, and wherein the second target temperature mode corresponds to a second thermistor target temperature; wherein the first thermistor target temperature is lower than the second thermistor target temperature; wherein the gases flow rate sensing system is configured to change from the first thermistor target temperature mode to the second thermistor target temperature mode in response to the measured temperature of the flow of gases exceeding the second temperature value; and wherein the gases flow rate sensing system is configured to change from the second thermistor target temperature mode to the first thermistor target temperature mode in response to the measured temperature of the flow of gases falling below the third temperature value.