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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Scientists attribute rising methane levels to agriculture
Media release11 March 2016A breakthrough in understanding about the causes of climate change has today been published online in the prestigious international journal Science. -
Scientists rediscover New Zealand’s first weather diaries
Media release09 March 2016NIWA climate scientists studying the diaries of an early English missionary stationed in the Far North have found the oldest surviving long-term instrumental weather records made in New Zealand. -
NIWA's Hotspot Watch 4 March 2016
Hotspot04 March 2016Across the northern North Island, soil moisture levels have generally remained the same or increased slightly when compared to this time last week. -
Tapping into nature’s archive of change
Feature story29 February 2016NIWA scientists are tapping into nature’s archives to understand our abrupt climate changes. -
NIWA's Hotspot Watch
Hotspot26 February 2016On the North Island, soil moisture levels have generally remained the same or increased when compared to this time last week. -
Tropical Cyclone Winston Update #3
News article24 February 2016Tropical Cyclone Winston is showing some signs of weakening as of this morning, now located about 600km southeast of Vanuatu’s southernmost islands. -
Tropical Cyclone Winston Update #2
News article23 February 2016NIWA meteorologists continue to monitor the progression of Tropical Cyclone Winston. -
NIWA's Hotspot Watch
Hotspot19 February 2016Changes in soil moisture levels across the North Island vary when compared to this time last week, with a mixture of both increased and decreased moisture. -
Rain, Sandflies and Takahē
Takahē Valley in the Murchison Mountains is home to a successful Takahē recovery project run by the Department of Conservation. -
Tropical cyclone update #2
News article15 February 2016Niwa meteorologists continue to cast a watchful eye over two strengthening tropical cyclones in the South Pacific. -
NIWA's Hotspot Watch
Hotspot12 February 2016A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. -
Tropical cyclone update #1
News article11 February 2016NIWA meteorologists are monitoring the potential for ex-tropical cyclones to affect New Zealand early next week.