Climate and weather

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

Our work

This research project aims to establish connections between weather and river flow forecasting, inundation prediction, and the associated risks to people and assets, using the RiskScape platform.

Latest videos

Why was 2021 New Zealand’s warmest year on record?

It's official, 2021 was Aotearoa New Zealand’s warmest year on record. The year 2021 finished with an average temperature of 13.56°C in New Zealand, this was 0.95°C above average (relative to the 1981-2010 baseline) and surpassed 2016 to become the country's new warmest year on record. Read more at Annual Climate Summary 2021.

2022-23 Summer Climate Summary from Ben Noll

2022-23 Summer Climate Summary from NIWA Meteorologist/Forecaster Ben Noll. See all the numbers and facts for New Zealand's wild summer weather

Tropical Cyclone Outlook: November 2021-April 2022

The NIWA and MetService assessment of named tropical cyclone (TC) activity indicates 9 to 12 named TCs could occur in the Southwest Pacific basin between November 2021 and April 2022. The seasonal outlook is for normal to slightly above normal activity in terms of overall named TCs in the region.

Tropical Cyclone Outlook: November 2020-April 2021

The NIWA and MetService assessment of named tropical cyclone (TC) activity indicates 8 to 10 named TCs could occur in the Southwest Pacific basin between November 2020 and April 2021. This seasonal outlook is for normal to below normal activity in terms of overall named cyclone systems in the region. 

Temperatures are very likely to be above average across New Zealand. More northeasterly winds are expected to cause periods of warmth and humidity, such as in early October.
The NINO3.4 Index anomaly (in the central Pacific) during August was -0.17 ̊C. The Southern Oscillation Index was +0.5. While both remained in neutral territory, other indicators trended toward La Niña.
New Zealand’s second consecutive warmest winter on record
A warm finish to winter for most of the country
Aotearoa New Zealand has just experienced its warmest winter on record – well exceeding the previous record which was set just last year.
Spring rainfall is most likely to be below normal in the east of the North Island, near normal in the west of the South Island, and about equally likely to be near normal or below normal in all remaining regions across Aotearoa New Zealand.
A record-equalling top temperature of 23ᵒC in Akaroa on Tuesday prompted a feeling of déjà vu for NIWA forecaster Ben Noll.
A closer eye is now being kept on Stewart Island’s climate thanks to the installation of a new electronic weather station.
Without the global CFC ban we’d already be facing the reality of a “scorched earth”, according to researchers measuring the impact of the Montreal Protocol.
New Zealand has just experienced its warmest June and July since records began in 1909 and – with one month to go - is on track for its second successive warmest winter on record.
Susan Pepperell looks at how high-resolution forecasting is driving sharper decision making – from deep in the back country to the finish line of the America’s Cup.
With the winter snowpack starting to build, who’s keeping an eye out on conditions in the mountains?
The NINO3.4 Index anomaly (in the central Pacific) during July was 0.08 ̊C. The Southern Oscillation Index was +1.7, firmly in La Niña territory.
Heavy downpours and unseasonable warmth
Temperatures are most likely to be above average in all regions of the country. More northwesterly air flows will likely cause spells of unseasonably warm temperatures in the north and east of both islands in particular.
The NINO3.4 Index anomaly (in the central Pacific) during June was 0.18 ̊C, the first time it has been positive since July 2020. The Southern Oscillation Index was +0.4, in the ENSO neutral range.
A NIWA climate scientist has combined work and a sporting interest to benefit golfers throughout New Zealand.
New Zealand’s warmest June on record
NIWA climate scientists are redefining what’s normal when it comes to the weather.
NZ’s weather patterns are expected to feature substantial week-to-week variability over the coming months, owing to an ENSO neutral state in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
A weather roller coaster is coming to town and country before the end of the month.
Preliminary analysis by NIWA climate scientists has shown that the recent Canterbury rainfall was so extreme in some inland places that it could be expected to happen only once every 200 years.
Clouds over the ocean, and how they trap or emit radiation from the sun, are partly influenced by the biology, biogeochemistry and physics of the surface ocean below.
Farmers visiting NIWA’s Fieldays stand at Mystery Creek next week have the opportunity to see into their future by playing a game that dices with climate change.
The prodigious rainmaker that hit Canterbury earlier this month saw NIWA field teams out in the elements collecting flood data from bridges, cableways and jetboat gaugings.

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All staff working on this subject

Atmospheric Modeller
Emeritus Researcher – Atmospheric Radiation
Principal Scientist - Carbon Chemistry and Modelling
Principal Scientist - Atmosphere and Climate
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Principal Scientist - Research Software Engineering
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NWP/CFD Modeller and Analyst
Coastal and Estuarine Physical Processes Scientist
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Marine Physics Modeller
Principal Scientist - Marine Physics
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Scientist
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Physical Oceanographer
Chief Scientist - Climate, Atmosphere and Hazards
Atmospheric Scientist
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Atmospheric Technician
Maori Organisational Development Manager
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Principal Technician - Climate and Risk Applications Developer
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