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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Hotspot Watch 12 January 2023
Hotspot12 January 2023A 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. -
NIWA's 2022 Annual Climate Summary is now out.
Media release12 January 2023It's official - last year was once again Aotearoa's warmest on record, knocking 2021 off the top spot. It was also the 8th most unusually wet year on record – meaning lots of rain fell in unusual places. -
Virtual Climate Station Network (VCSN) data technical description
Virtual Climate Station Network (VCSN) data technical description -
Hotspot Watch 16 December 2022
Hotspot16 December 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. -
Protecting people
Feature story15 December 2022Mia Blyth talks to an environmental hazard specialist who feels a very personal connection to his work. -
Bridging the forecasting gap
Feature story15 December 2022Improvements 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. -
Are you ready for your climate future?
Feature story15 December 2022NIWA Chief Executive John Morgan asks whether New Zealanders are doing enough to prepare for what lies ahead. -
Hotspot Watch 8 December 2022
Hotspot08 December 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. -
Marine heatwave developing
Media release01 December 2022Coastal waters around Aotearoa New Zealand became unusually warm last month, say NIWA. -
Hotspot Watch 1 December 2022
Hotspot01 December 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 23 November 2022
Hotspot23 November 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 16 November 2022
Hotspot16 November 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.