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.

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  • Link to source page

    Welcome to jandal season: warmest days of the spring so far

    News article
    07 November 2016
    Warm nor’westers, or foehn winds, are forecast for parts of the eastern South Island tomorrow and Wednesday, before spreading to the east of the North Island from Wednesday into Thursday.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 3 Nov 2016

    Hotspot
    04 November 2016
    This week's update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    28 October 2016
    A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    20 October 2016
    An update for 20 October describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook

    Media release
    14 October 2016
    Moderate La Niña or neutral tropical conditions expected to produce near average activity across most islands.

  • Link to source page

    Is La Niña in our future or not?

    News article
    16 September 2016
    And... what would that mean for New Zealand?

  • Link to source page

    Winter is coming – again

    Media release
    06 September 2016
    NIWA forecasters believe that winter will return with a vengeance from tomorrow.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA Seasonal Climate Outlook: September - November 2016

    NIWA Forecaster Ben Noll hosts a broad-brush regional outlook for New Zealand's temperature and rainfall over the next three months.

  • Link to source page

    Ready, set, go – it’s time for a warm leap into spring

    Media release
    30 August 2016
    It’s time to close the door on winter – spring will be here on Thursday bearing gifts of warm winds and sunshine for September.

  • Link to source page

    Snow trends 18th August

    Media release
    18 August 2016
    After one of the most tranquil weeks of the season, winter returns to the South Island this weekend, delivering some fresh powder—music to the ears of the country’s snow hounds.

  • Link to source page

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    Heavy snow forecast sends NIWA staff outdoors

    News article
    03 August 2016
    NIWA scientists and field teams will be heading outdoors for the first snow mobilisation of winter later this week to make the most of what is expected to be the largest and longest wintry blast of the year.

  • Link to source page

    Seasonal Climate Outlook Aug-Oct 2016

    NIWA Forecaster Chris Brandolino explains what New Zealand can expect in the way of rainfall and temperature over the next three months.