News

A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. This is the first Hotspot Watch update for this season.

Earth Sciences New Zealand researchers have used generative AI to produce high-resolution climate projections at a scale previously out of reach, providing a window into future changes in rainfall, temperature and extreme weather events in a warming world. 

The Southwest Pacific could experience at least four severe tropical cyclones reaching category 3 or higher this season, according to the 2026/27 Tropical Cyclone Outlook coordinated by Earth Sciences New Zealand.

New Zealand will feel the impacts of a ‘Very Strong’ El Niño event over spring and summer of 2026/27.

Hoping for a glimpse of the Matariki stars over the long weekend?

Earth Sciences New Zealand has confirmed that El Niño conditions have been reached in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strongly influence New Zealand’s weather into 2027.

This is the final Hotspot Watch update for this season. The Hotspot Watch will return during spring 2026.

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

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

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

Fifty years on from the first aerial survey of our Southern Alps glaciers, late snow and variable summer weather delivered a temporary reprieve from rapid ice loss, says Earth Sciences New Zealand.  

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