Atmosphere

World class research contributing to our understanding of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and urban air pollution.

MethaneSAT

Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite. The core mission of this unique satellite is to support reductions in methane emissions around the world, primarily by reducing leaks from oil and gas production. NIWA's Dr Sara Mikaloff Fletcher is leading a science programme to develop capability to map agricultural emissions and determine the best places for the satellite to look for methane emissions around the world.

Go to research project

Atmosphere

Research

Explore

Services

Explore

Facilities & measurement

Explore

  • Link to source page

    Common climate and weather terms

    Education Resource
    A glossary of common climate change and meteorological terms.
    Extreme weather

  • Link to source page

    Estimating design wind speeds in complex terrain

    Research Project
    The current method for calculating wind speed-up is inadequate, and can grossly under-predict correct design wind speeds in NZ's complex terrain.
    Atmosphere
    Hazards

  • Link to source page

    UV Index at Leigh - 17 October 2023

    Today's UV Index

    Today's UV Index
    UV and ozone

  • Link to source page

    Climate and weather

    Information about climate and weather and links to climate-related websites.
    Climate data
    Extreme weather

  • Link to source page

    Weather app screenshots

    UVI smartphone apps

    Several apps that provide forecasts of the UV index (UVI) are available for smartphones. 
    UV and ozone

  • Link to source page

    UV index signage at Lauder

    UV Index Information

    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.
    UV and ozone

  • Link to source page

    Common hydrological terms

    Education Resource
    Descriptions of the common terms that explain the processes that occur in hydrology.
    River flow forecasting

  • Link to source page

    Air quality monitoring with low-cost sensors

    Service
    NIWA provides ambient air quality monitoring services using low-cost ODIN (Outdoor Dust Information Node) sensors.
    Air quality

  • Link to source page

    UV Index at Leigh - 16 October 2023

    Yesterday's UV Index

    Plots of UV levels throughout the day at different locations.
    UV and ozone

  • Link to source page

    Layers of the atmosphere

    Education Resource
    The atmosphere is comprised of layers based on temperature. These layers are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.
    Atmosphere

  • Link to source page

    Tonga volcano “afterglow” causes dazzling skies in Antarctica

    Media release
    06 June 2017
    Antarctica is experiencing stunning skyscapes like those recently seen in New Zealand, thanks to the afterglow effect from the Tongan volcano.
    Antarctica
    Atmosphere
    Climate and weather

  • Link to source page

    Front and rear views of a Mark I dosimeter badge. [NIWA]

    Personal UV Dosimeters

    NIWA has developed personal UV dosimeter badges to support studies relating UV exposure to human health.
    UV and ozone
    Calibration