Earth Sciences New Zealand reports that the tropical Pacific Ocean and atmosphere remain firmly in an El Niño state, with atmospheric indicators recording their strongest July values on record. Scientists indicate there is a 90% chance the climate pattern will reach or surpass a very strong intensity, potentially ranking among the strongest events in recent … Read more
According to MetService, Aotearoa is bracing for bitterly cold conditions driven by a combination of very cold air and strong winds, offering a sharp contrast to the milder double-digit temperatures recorded earlier this morning. That morning warmth provided a welcome reprieve from the sub-zero figures felt earlier in the week as a lingering cold snap … Read more
New Zealanders faced some of the coldest temperatures of the year so far on Monday morning, with widespread overnight frosts plunging multiple regions well below freezing, according to MetService. The national weather authority reports that Taupō dropped to -5.6C, Rotorua reached -3.9C, Hamilton fell to -2.8C, and Masterton recorded -4.4C. Further south, Christchurch dropped to … Read more
Severe weather is lashing the lower North Island and parts of the upper North Island, bringing heavy rain, flash flooding risks, strong winds, and road closures across the country on Saturday. Motorists are urged to take extra care as intense downpours create hazardous road conditions and surface flooding. Wellington Flash Flooding and MetService Warnings Heavy … Read more
A Sharp Plunge Toward Friday New Zealanders are bracing for a bitter freeze as clear skies settle over the country. This follows a weekend that saw temperatures crater at -12.5C in Lake Tekapo. While daytime conditions remain largely dry, MetService warns that the lack of overnight cloud cover will trigger a significant temperature drop heading … Read more
New Zealand experienced its coldest night of the year so far in the early hours of this morning, with temperatures plummeting to -12.5C at Lake Tekapo. According to MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley, the widespread cold snap brought sub-zero air temperatures as far north as Auckland, with frosty conditions reported across much of the country. Temperatures … Read more
A southerly storm has left a trail of disruption across New Zealand, forcing a state of emergency in Kaikōura after two months’ worth of rain fell in just 48 hours. While floodwaters are now receding in the south, MetService has issued a series of heavy rain and strong wind warnings for the lower and central … Read more
Super Typhoon Bavi is posing an “imminent danger to life” as it tracks toward the Mariana Islands, with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning of catastrophic winds reaching 290 km/h. According to NWS meteorologist Edwin Montvila, residents in Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan are under typhoon warnings as the category five storm brings potential for … Read more
A Whangamatā home sustained significant damage after being struck by lightning during an intense thunderstorm early Monday morning. The Whangamatā Volunteer Fire Brigade reported that the strike hit a house and an adjacent power pole on Achilles Ave at approximately 3:50 a.m. While residents were shaken by the event, no injuries were reported. Extent of … Read more
Winter driving safety requires adapting to increasing seasonal hazards like black ice, fog, and heavy rain. To mitigate risks, the Automobile Association (AA) recommends increasing following distances by up to 10 times on icy roads and maintaining a four-second gap in the rain to ensure control and prevent crashes. How can motorists handle black ice … Read more