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.
Climate and weather
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Glacier timelines
Once upon a time, long ago, massive glaciers covered our landscape. As they retreat, they leave piles of sediment and rocks behind called moraines that tell an important story of New Zealand's climate history. -
Understanding why our giant glaciers disappeared in the past gives clues to the future
Media release13 April 2022An international team of climate scientists is working in North Canterbury to try to understand the reasons why giant glaciers disappeared thousands of years ago. -
Hotspot Watch 8 April 2022
Hotspot08 April 2022A 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 31 March 2022
Hotspot31 March 2022A 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. -
Glaciers continue to shrink this year, says NIWA
Media release28 March 2022The annual end-of-summer snowline survey of more than 50 South Island glaciers has revealed continued loss of snow and ice. Last week, scientists from NIWA, Victoria University of Wellington, and Department of Conservation took thousands of aerial photographs of glaciers. Some of them are used to build 3D models that track ice volume changes. -
New national rainfall record surpasses 56-year-old record
Media release25 March 2022This week’s torrential rains have set a new national rainfall record. -
Hotspot Watch 24 March 2022
Hotspot24 March 2022A 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 18 March 2022
Hotspot18 March 2022A 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 11 March 2022
Hotspot11 March 2022A 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. -
Mean heat: Marine heatwaves to get longer and hotter by 2100
Media release07 March 2022New research from the Deep South Challenge: Changing with our Climate and NIWA shows that New Zealand could experience very long and “very severe” marine heatwaves by the end of the century. -
Hotspot Watch 4 March 2022
Hotspot04 March 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. -
Hotspot Watch 25 February 2022
Hotspot25 February 2022A 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.