Extreme weather

NIWA undertakes extensive research aimed at predicting and understanding extreme weather and its impacts. Our changing climate means extreme events are expected to become more frequent and more.

  • High resolution drought forecasting

    Research Project
    NIWA and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are working together to develop a new drought forecasting tool.
  • Forecasting weather systems

    Research Project
    NIWA’s research into forecasting weather systems aims to increase the resilience of New Zealand communities to weather-related hazards.
  • Rangi - weather and climate lessons for teachers

    Developed for teachers, these lessons offer an engaging way to learn about Aotearoa’s weather and climate.
  • New tool revolutionising drought forecasts

    Media release
    A newly launched tool developed by NIWA and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to predict dryness and drought will help farmers and growers be better prepared for challenging weather conditions.
  • In numbers: New Zealand’s wild summer weather

    Media release
    It has been a summer to remember, but not in a good way.
  • Hotspot Watch 16 February 2023

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.
  • Hotspot Watch 12 January 2023

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.
  • Hotspot Watch 16 December 2022

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.
  • Bridging the forecasting gap

    Feature story
    Improvements in data and climate science mean forecasters are able to predict patterns much further ahead and in far greater detail. Melissa Bray looks at what this may mean for farmers.
  • Hotspot Watch 16 November 2022

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • 2022 off to a searing start

    Media release
    New Zealand’s weather is proving no exception to the record-breaking extremes occurring around the globe.
  • Hotspot Watch 13 May 2022

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.