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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Dramatic changes in New Zealand river flows, research finds
Media release23 March 2023River flows in New Zealand have changed dramatically over the past 50 to 90 years as the climate has varied, a new study has found. -
Hotspot Watch 17 March 2023
Hotspot17 March 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
Hotspot Watch 10 March 2023
Hotspot10 March 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
NIWA's Historic Weather Events website
Media release10 March 2023Our official statement in response to Ian Wishart's report about NIWA's Historic Weather Events Catalogue website. -
2022-23 Summer Climate Summary from NIWA Meteorologist/Forecaster Ben Noll
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In numbers: New Zealand’s wild summer weather
Media release03 March 2023It has been a summer to remember, but not in a good way. -
Hotspot Watch 2 March 2023
Hotspot02 March 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. -
Hotspot Watch 24 February 2023
Hotspot24 February 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. -
Record low sea ice levels mixed bag for Antarctic voyage
Media release23 February 2023Scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have returned from a six-week voyage to Antarctica. -
Research aims to quantify New Zealand’s Blue Carbon capacity of kelp seaweeds
Media release20 February 2023A research project co-led by Blue Carbon Services and NIWA will aim to provide New Zealand’s first national estimate of natural kelp-carbon sequestration in the marine environment. -
Hotspot Watch 16 February 2023
Hotspot16 February 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
Hotspot Watch 2 February 2023
Hotspot02 February 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.