Atmospheric analysis

Generally speaking, a drought is defined as a rainfall deficit which restricts or prevents a human activity – for example, farming or power generation.

NIWA run a computer model which simulates wave heights across the Canterbury continental shelf and along the coast.

Aotearoa’s main urban areas cover approximately 2% of total available land.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a relative measure of the amount of oxygen (O2) dissolved in water.

This daily image of New Zealand from space was created using data from one of NASA's EOS satellites, collected at our receiving station in Lauder, Central Otago.

Projections of how climate change is likely to affect New Zealand.

Learn about different kinds of beachs and how they form, with diagrams and examples of each type.

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

The UV Index is a measure of the intensity of UV radiation. The larger the number, the more intense the UV. In New Zealand, its maximum summer value is generally about 12, but it can exceed 13 in the far North. In winter it reaches peak values of 1 or 2. Values of 10 or more should be considered as "extreme". At high altitude tropical sites (eg Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii), the UV Index can exceed 20.The UV Index supersedes the idea of "Time to Burn" or "Burn Time", which has been used previously in New Zealand.

NIWA discusses, in depth, this year's most asked question—what is happening to our fresh waterways?

The mass of carbon emissions can easily be calculated.