Climate & Weather

Understanding our variable and changing climate is critical for managing resources and reducing risks.

Drought forecasting dashboard

NIWA and MPI are working together to develop a new drought forecasting tool. It uses innovative climate modelling, the latest in machine learning and other data-driven techniques to predict rainfall 35 days ahead. It will help farmers and growers better prepare for periods of dryness and drought.

Climate and weather

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    So far, so stormy

    Media release
    13 July 2017
    Today’s low came spinning off the coast of Hawke’s Bay funneling strong winds through the Cook Strait and hitting Wellington region with strong winds before moving on to Taranaki and Auckland this afternoon.
    Climate and weather

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    Clouds

    Education Resource
    Common questions about clouds, how they are formed and how they behave.

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    Gisborne

    In comparison with regions exposed to the west, Gisborne experiences a greater number of weather and climatic extremes.

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    What is the chance of a warm summer in Invercargill?

    In this activity you will analyse the Southern Oscillation Index and investigate the chances of getting below normal, normal or above normal summer temperatures in Invercargill.
    Climate and weather

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    NZ's warmest and wettest winter on record

    Media release
    06 June 2017
    NIWA’s climate scientists can now confirm what you may have suspected. After carefully poring through more than a century’s worth of data, it has been officially determined that winter 2022 was Aotearoa New Zealand’s warmest and wettest on record.
    Climate and weather

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    Obtaining climate data from NIWA

    NIWA maintains the national climate database for New Zealand, and can supply data in a variety of ways.
    Climate data

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    Map W South

    Education Resource
    The climate of this area is greatly dependent on its exposure to weather systems from the Tasman Sea and the lie of the Southern Alps to the east.
    Climate and weather

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    Bay of Plenty

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    Common climate and weather terms

    Education Resource
    Confused about El Niño, or can't tell the difference between an Anticyclone and an Isobar? Let us help.

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    Wairarapa drought

    Drought

    Education Resource
    Defining drought and identifying its causes and impacts on humans.
    Climate and weather
    Climate change

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    Mean monthly sunshine (hours)

    These datasets are available in a range of formats.

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    Southwest Pacific climate

    Our southwest Pacific research focuses on recent and historic climate and weather activity, including our involvement in ACRE Pacific data rescue.