On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Climate & Weather

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

Drought forecasting dashboard

The drought forecasting tool uses innovative climate modelling, the latest in machine learning and other data-driven techniques to predict rainfall 35 days ahead. Helping farmers and growers better prepare for periods of dryness and drought.

Climate and weather

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    Snow depth

    Ideas for projects using climate data

    Education Resource
    Ideas for projects using climate data
    Climate data

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    Climate change, global warming and greenhouse gases

    Climate data and common terms explaining the causes and effects of climate change.
    Atmosphere
    Climate change
    Greenhouse and trace gases

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    Nelson-Marlborough

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    Takahe Valley monitoring station

    Monthly

    Publication series
    Monthly climate summaries from December 2001 to the present.
    Climate and weather

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    Understanding and predicting floods and their impacts

    Feature story
    06 June 2017
    Floods are not unusual in New Zealand, but those that hit us early this winter broke records. Why did they occur? Should we expect more? Can we predict future floods?
    Climate modelling and projections
    River flow forecasting
    Hazards

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    Marlborough

    The main characteristic of the Marlborough climate is its dryness. Summer droughts are frequent, and the region is often swept by warm, dry northwesterlies.

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    Edgecumbe flood damage

    Climate change
    Floods

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    Tropical Cyclone Cook churning across Pacific

    Media release
    10 April 2017
    NIWA meteorologist Seth Carrier outlines the likely path of Cyclone Cook, which is gaining strength in the Pacific.

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    Tropical Torrent by the numbers

    Media release
    07 April 2017
    The Tropical Torrent that spread over New Zealand this week, produced up to three times the normal April rainfall for some locations in three days, NIWA forecaster Ben Noll says.

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    Tropical Torrent takes aim at New Zealand

    Media release
    31 March 2017
    After thrashing Australia, what’s left of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie is forecast to slowly move across the Tasman Sea over the weekend and soak New Zealand next week.

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    NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 30 March 2017

    Hotspot
    30 March 2017
    The final weekly update for the 2016-17 summer describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

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    NIWA launches New Zealand Drought Index - a one-stop drought monitor

    Media release
    24 March 2017
    A new tool to monitor drought conditions across New Zealand has been launched today by NIWA.
    Extreme weather
    Scientific Tools & Data