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.

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  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 1 March 2024

    Hotspot
    01 March 2024
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    WLG-Pano-YoungL

    NIWA35 data request form

    Service
    Obtain NIWA35 forecast data from NIWA.
    Climate and weather
    Climate data
    Weather forecasting

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 23 February 2024

    Hotspot
    23 February 2024
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 15 February 2024

    Hotspot Watch 15 February 2024

    Hotspot
    15 February 2024
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 6 February 2024. [NIWA]

    Hotspot Watch 7 February 2024

    Hotspot
    07 February 2024
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    drian and Andrew inspect the Mt Larkins snow and ice monitoring station in winter conditions

    NIWA Monitoring Stations

    Facility
    NIWA National Environmental Monitoring Network in Aotearoa New Zealand.
    Climate data
    Environmental Information
    Scientific Tools & Data

  • Link to source page

    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 31 January 2024

    Hotspot Watch 1 February 2024

    Hotspot
    01 February 2024
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry con

  • Link to source page

    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 25 January 2024

    Hotspot Watch 26 January 2024

    Hotspot
    26 January 2024
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Graph of sea surface temperature peak dates for Auckland between 1982 to 2024

    Warm oceans behind our hot, humid weather

    Media release
    25 January 2024
    A strong marine heatwave is contributing to New Zealand’s unusually hot weather
    Climate and weather

  • Link to source page

    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 18 January 2024. [NIWA]

    Hotspot Watch 19 January 2024

    Hotspot
    19 January 2024
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 10 January 2024. [NIWA]

    Hotspot Watch 11 January 2024

    Hotspot
    11 January 2024
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 20 December 2023

    Hotspot Watch 20 December 2023

    Hotspot
    21 December 2023
    This is the last Hotspot Watch for 2023. Normal service will resume on 11th Jan 2024.