Atmospheric analysis

A large area of high pressure will take up residence east of New Zealand for the next few days, bringing more unusual springtime warmth to parts of the South Island from tomorrow through to late next week, says NIWA forecaster Seth Carrier.

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Across the North Island, soil moisture levels have generally not changed significantly during the past week, while across the South Island, soil moisture levels have generally decreased.

An immense dome of high pressure stretched across the Tasman Sea onto the South Island yesterday, bringing the highest temperatures across New Zealand since April.

The first weekly update for the 2017-18 summer describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

A tsunami reporting station situated in the Pacific Ocean that is currently off line is to be upgraded in a joint operation involving New Zealand and United States government agencies.

NIWA vessel RV Tangaroa visted Kaikōura in September 2017 to investigate the impacts of the earthquake in the coastal zone, which includes effects on rocky reef habitats and communities, pāua fishery and Hector’s dolphins.

A dramatic change in sea ice this year is likely to hamper a NIWA-led research project aiming to better understand how ice shelves will melt as the ocean warms.

An air flow extending from Australia on Thursday and Friday may bring near-record warmth to parts of the interior South Island, says NIWA forecaster Ben Noll. A large area of high pressure to the northwest of New Zealand will help steer this warm air across the Tasman Sea.

Read NIWA's 2016/17 Annual Report

Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook: Near-normal season expected, but with increased activity west, reduced activity east

A new online survey is forming the basis of the National Riparian Restoration Database, which will help scientists to improve understanding of how riparian buffers benefit waterways.
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