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

    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.

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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.

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    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.

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    Post-conference field trip #1 - Kauri and the Quaternary of Northland

    Details about the post-conference field trip that made a loop around Northland

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    Tropical winds yield late-July record warmth

    Media release
    25 July 2016
    A number of temperature records toppled across New Zealand over the weekend as tropical winds from New Caledonia and Vanuatu streamed over the country.

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    Atmospheric river of moisture headed for New Zealand

    News article
    06 July 2016
    A series of low pressure systems will trek across the Tasman from tonight into the weekend, resulting in locally heavy rain and the potential for flooding and slips for the east of the North Island.

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    Dear diary: A pioneer of meteorology

    Feature story
    30 June 2016
    The discovery of diaries of an English missionary living in Northland in the 1800s reveals him as New Zealand’s first meteorologist.

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    Record-breaking mid-winter warmth

    News article
    23 June 2016
    NIWA Meteorologist Ben Noll takes a north-to-south look at the record-breaking warm temperatures experienced by Kiwis during the winter solstice.

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    New Zealand reaches climate change milestone

    News article
    07 June 2016
    An important scientific milestone was reached on a windswept point at the bottom of the North Island this week.

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    Adapting to climate change in Samoa

    Climate change

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    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    18 April 2016
    Across the North Island, soil moisture levels have generally remained the same or decreased slightly when compared to this time last week.

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    NIWA's Hotspot Watch 1 April 2016

    Hotspot
    01 April 2016
    Across the North Island, soil moisture levels have generally remained the same or increased when compared to this time last week.