Climate Mapping
Science Centres: Climate
NIWA can help answer your questions about the climate in your part of New Zealand by mapping data from its comprehensive climate databases.
For example:
- Where can I grow grapes?
- Where could we best locate a wind farm?
- Do I need to upgrade my flood protection scheme?
NIWA can map any aspect of climate
From the national scale
To the regional scale
To the local scale
The data behind our maps
We build our maps using data from NIWA’s extensive national climate database, satellite data, and output from global-scale and local-scale climate models. Our maps are created using a Geographic Information System (GIS). As a result, we can make attractive images and provide valuable climate information as digital layers to be incorporated into your specific project.
An analysis of the mapping error
We have performed a detailed analysis of the spatial interpolation model prediction error for a number of climate variables. The analysis can be downloaded from here (3,063 KB).
Our maps have many uses
Flood estimation
Wind power generation
Crop suitability
Flood estimation
This map of the 100-year return period 24-hour rainfall total for the lower North Island is based on a High Intensity Rainfall Design System (HIRDS). It can be used for the estimation of design rainfalls (e.g., for river flood estimation), and to assess the rarity of observed storm events. (See more about HIRDS.)
Wind power generation
Potential sites for wind power generation are shown in red. The sites have been identified as having a mean annual wind speed of more than 8 m/s (28.8 km/h).
Crop suitability
Combining maps of climate parameters with soil maps and specific crop requirement information enables us to produce crop suitability maps like this one showing the potential growing areas for fig. This map was created for the Kaipara and Far North District Councils.
Types of climate maps available
You can get maps of the following climate parameters:
- rainfall total
- number of days of rain
- rainfall intensity
- air temperature
- soil temperature
- sunshine hours
- solar radiation
- potential evapotranspiration
- evaporation
- growing degree days
- cooling degree days
- winter chilling
- number of days of snow, hail, etc.
- wind speed
- frost incidence
All maps are available as GIS layers.
Variability
Often, understanding the variability is just as important as knowing the mean conditions. We can show the variability of the data by mapping the standard deviation, or the range, or the one-year-in-ten high and low values, or the number of days in excess of a specified threshold.
Also, we can produce special combination maps, such as the mean annual number of days with rainfall greater than 1mm and maximum temperature less than 5°C, for example.
Whatever you want, we can map it for you.
Posters: Mean Annual Rainfall and Temperature, 1971–2000
| Rainfall and temperature patterns for New Zealand are extremely diverse, due to our geographic location and complex terrain. These two posters (sold as a set) show how the mean annual rainfall and temperature vary throughout the country. The posters are approximately 60 cm x 85 cm. NIWA Poster Nos. 4 & 5, 2004. $28 (plus $5 for overseas orders) Order form for posters |
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Other climate data products from NIWA
Contact
For further information regarding purchasing climate maps, GIS layers, or other climate data products please contact:
Dr Andrew Tait
National Climate Centre
NIWA
Private Bag 14901
Wellington
Email: a.tait@niwa.co.nz
Phone: +64 4 386 0300
Fax: +64 4 386 0574