Climate & Weather

Understanding our variable and changing climate is critical for managing resources and reducing risks.

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    Mean monthly wet-days

    These datasets are available in a range of formats.
  • Assessment of crop and tree species growing potential using climate, soil and topographic information

    Research Project
    This project demonstrates how to assess high value alternative land-use options by means of a quantitative analysis of the growing potential of selected niche crops and tree species.
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    How deep is the snow at your place?

    Measurements of snowfall at low elevations around New Zealand are few and far between, and yet the data would be really helpful in understanding how snowfall occurs and quantifying snow-related risks.
  • Blue Lake, St Bathans

    Seasonal

    Publication series
    Seasonal climate summaries from summer 2001 to the present.
  • NZ's warmest and wettest winter on record

    Media release
    NIWA’s climate scientists can now confirm what you may have suspected. After carefully poring through more than a century’s worth of data, it has been officially determined that winter 2022 was Aotearoa New Zealand’s warmest and wettest on record.
  • Snow depth

    Ideas for projects using climate data

    Education Resource
    Ideas for projects using climate data
  • Southwest Pacific climate

    Our southwest Pacific research focuses on recent and historic climate and weather activity, including our involvement in ACRE Pacific data rescue.
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    Hawkes Bay

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    NZ Drought indicator products and information

    Drought is a common feature of New Zealand's climate. On average, every year or two somewhere in New Zealand experiences a drought.
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    Climate change, global warming and greenhouse gases

    Climate data and common terms explaining the causes and effects of climate change.
  • 2012-2013 Drought

    The 2012-2013 drought affected the entire North Island plus the west coast of the South Island.