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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NIWA calculates 1:200 year flood for parts of Canterbury
Media release14 June 2021Preliminary analysis by NIWA climate scientists has shown that the recent Canterbury rainfall was so extreme in some inland places that it could be expected to happen only once every 200 years. -
Sea2Cloud – how marine aerosols influence the atmosphere and climate
Research ProjectClouds over the ocean, and how they trap or emit radiation from the sun, are partly influenced by the biology, biogeochemistry and physics of the surface ocean below. -
Play the climate change game at Fieldays
Media release10 June 2021Farmers visiting NIWA’s Fieldays stand at Mystery Creek next week have the opportunity to see into their future by playing a game that dices with climate change. -
Field teams and forecasters cover monumental rainfall event
Feature story09 June 2021The prodigious rainmaker that hit Canterbury earlier this month saw NIWA field teams out in the elements collecting flood data from bridges, cableways and jetboat gaugings. -
Skies looking mostly clear for spotting rare Super Blood Moon
Media release25 May 2021NIWA forecasters say expected clear skies are looking good for spotting the Super Blood Moon on Wednesday night. -
NIWA seeks help from skiers and snow bunnies
Media release24 May 2021A NIWA scientist is asking for the help of skiers, mountaineers and alpine professionals to collect snow for a new research project. -
Storm surge and wave forecasting
ServiceWe combine capabilities in weather, wave, storm surge and tide forecasting with tide gauge observations. -
Happy diamond anniversary for some laudable work
Media release05 May 2021A Central Otago scientific research station with a globally revered reputation is marking its 60th anniversary. -
Scientists examine high winds on Auckland Harbour Bridge
Media release27 April 2021When high winds on the Auckland Harbour Bridge last September caused two trucks to topple over, one into a load-bearing strut, NIWA scientists began thinking about what role they could play in preventing it from happening again. -
Marine reserves join ocean acidification network
Media release22 April 2021A joint NIWA and Department of Conservation (DOC) project is extending New Zealand’s ocean acidification monitoring network to include marine reserves. -
Hotspot Watch 9 April 2021
Hotspot09 April 2021Final Hotspot Watch update for this season. Weekly Hotspot Watches will return in the spring. -
Hotspot Watch 1 April 2021
Hotspot01 April 2021A 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.