Climate & Weather

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

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

Research

Explore

Services

Explore

Education

Explore

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    20 October 2016
    An update for 20 October describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook

    Media release
    14 October 2016
    Moderate La Niña or neutral tropical conditions expected to produce near average activity across most islands.

  • Link to source page

    Is La Niña in our future or not?

    News article
    16 September 2016
    And... what would that mean for New Zealand?

  • Link to source page

    Winter is coming – again

    Media release
    06 September 2016
    NIWA forecasters believe that winter will return with a vengeance from tomorrow.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA Seasonal Climate Outlook: September - November 2016

    NIWA Forecaster Ben Noll hosts a broad-brush regional outlook for New Zealand's temperature and rainfall over the next three months.

  • Link to source page

    Ready, set, go – it’s time for a warm leap into spring

    Media release
    30 August 2016
    It’s time to close the door on winter – spring will be here on Thursday bearing gifts of warm winds and sunshine for September.

  • Link to source page

    Snow trends 18th August

    Media release
    18 August 2016
    After one of the most tranquil weeks of the season, winter returns to the South Island this weekend, delivering some fresh powder—music to the ears of the country’s snow hounds.

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Heavy snow forecast sends NIWA staff outdoors

    News article
    03 August 2016
    NIWA scientists and field teams will be heading outdoors for the first snow mobilisation of winter later this week to make the most of what is expected to be the largest and longest wintry blast of the year.

  • Link to source page

    Seasonal Climate Outlook Aug-Oct 2016

    NIWA Forecaster Chris Brandolino explains what New Zealand can expect in the way of rainfall and temperature over the next three months.

  • Link to source page

    Post-conference field trip #1 - Kauri and the Quaternary of Northland

    Details about the post-conference field trip that made a loop around Northland

  • Link to source page

    Tropical winds yield late-July record warmth

    Media release
    25 July 2016
    A number of temperature records toppled across New Zealand over the weekend as tropical winds from New Caledonia and Vanuatu streamed over the country.

  • Link to source page

    Atmospheric river of moisture headed for New Zealand

    News article
    06 July 2016
    A series of low pressure systems will trek across the Tasman from tonight into the weekend, resulting in locally heavy rain and the potential for flooding and slips for the east of the North Island.