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

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    Outputs and accomplishments

    Outputs and accomplishments partly or fully funded under the Climate Present and Past project in recent years.

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    Wellington regional climatology publication released

    News article
    13 May 2015
    NIWA's Climate Science Centre has released a Wellington regional climatology - "The Climate and Weather of Wellington".

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    Historic climate

    An overview of historical climate work completed under Climate Present and Past project.

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    Climate science may help predict mussel production

    News article
    20 April 2015
    Sea temperatures influence mussel production, but the link between the two is not always clear. Sea temperatures have been rising globally with climate change, but temperatures also fluctuate with shorter-term climate variability, along with other factors that influence food supply for the mussels.

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    Global experts confirm NIWA's finding on Southwest Pacific's coldest ever temperature

    Media release
    14 April 2015
    A World Meteorological Organisation panel has confirmed a finding that a temperature of -25.6°C observed at Eweburn, Ranfurly in New Zealand on 17 July 1903 is the coldest temperature recorded for the Southwest Pacific Region.

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    NIWA’s research receives international recognition

    World-class climate and ozone research by scientists at NIWA’s Lauder Atmospheric Research Station has been recognised by meteorology’s leading organisation in Geneva, making Lauder the fourth upper-air site in the world to be certified by the global climate-data network.

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    Is extreme weather the new normal?

    News article
    24 March 2015
    New Zealanders have just experienced one of the driest summers on record – great for beachgoers and cricket lovers, but far from ideal for farmers and orchardists relying on rain to maintain productivity.
    Weather hazards

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    World Cup weather forecast: NZ vs South Africa

    NIWA's Chris Brandolino presents the match day weather forecast ahead of New Zealand's World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

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    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    23 March 2015
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.

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    Tropical Cyclone Pam: Update 15 March

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    Tropical Cyclone Pam: Update 14 March

    Watch the very latest from NIWA Forecaster Chris Brandolino on Tropical Cyclone Pam’s expected movements and impacts on New Zealand.

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    Tropical Cyclone Pam heads south

    NIWA Forecaster Chris Brandolino discusses possible impacts on New Zealand as Tropical Cyclone Pam begins moving towards our region.