Atmospheric analysis

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.

Sam Fraser-Baxter heads to the Wairarapa for one of New Zealand’s longest-running marine surveys – counting baby lobster.

There are about 800km between the southern and northern tips of Tonga - and a lot of ocean.

Rudd

In the past 10 years, more weather records have been broken than in any other time in New Zealand’s history.

Just past the locks, alarms and big heavy doors is a rather macabre sight.

Across the North Island, moderate to large increases in soil moisture levels were observed in many locations due to substantial rainfall in the past week. Across the South Island, substantial rainfall contributed to moderate to large increases in soil moisture levels in the vast majority of the island.

This page provides a summary of projected climate change hazards. 

This is a special series of stories put out to the media over the 2019/2020 summer.

If Santa is quick he can hop on a ridge of high pressure for his big trip to New Zealand very soon.

Across the North Island, notable increases in soil moisture levels were observed in the southwest, from Taranaki south to Wellington.

Researchers at NIWA’s Lauder atmospheric research station in Central Otago have measured prolonged carbon monoxide concentrations well above normal levels.