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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What’s the difference between weather and climate?
While weather and climate are closely related, they’re not the same thing. -
Hotspot Watch 12 February 2020
Hotspot12 February 2020Across the North Island, the past week once again featured little if any rainfall for most locations. Soil moisture levels in the lower South Island have improved markedly from last week. -
Hotspot Watch 5 February 2020
Hotspot05 February 2020A 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. -
Forecast shows Auckland region to stay dry
Media release04 February 2020Aucklanders should not expect any decent rain for more than 10 days, says NIWA principal scientist and forecaster Chris Brandolino. -
Scientists recreate the week it snowed everywhere
Feature story01 February 2020NIWA has teamed up with Microsoft for a new project using artificial intelligence to combine historic weather records with breakthrough handwriting recognition tools. -
The man of many pathways
Feature story01 February 2020Dr Rob Bell worked out a long time ago that sea-level rise is much more than a scientific problem. No wonder then that people say his ability to listen is one of his best traits. -
Hotspot Watch 30 January 2020
Hotspot30 January 2020A 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 22 January 2020
Hotspot22 January 2020A 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 15 January 2020
Hotspot15 January 2020A 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. -
New Zealand 2019 climate summary
NIWA climate scientist Nava Fedaeff presents the NIWA annual climate summary for New Zealand 2019. -
Hotspot Watch 8 January 2020
Hotspot09 January 2020A 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. -
Weathering new technology in Tonga
Feature story03 January 2020There are about 800km between the southern and northern tips of Tonga - and a lot of ocean.