New Zealand’s Winter Ranked Third-Warmest on Record, Data Shows Earth Sciences New Zealand reported that the country’s winter of 2026 ranked as the third-warmest on record, with a nationwide average temperature of 9.7°C—1.1°C above the 1991-2020 winter average, according to the agency’s climate summary. Regional Temperature Variations Highlight Climate Contrasts While the South Island saw … Read more
A significant winter storm stalls over the South Island starting Wednesday, bringing prolonged heavy rain that will swell rivers across the West Coast before colder southerly air drives snow to low inland levels later in the week, according to MetService and NZTA. Weather Storm Stalls Over South Island Bringing Heavy Rain The severe weather traces … Read more
New Zealand is facing its first taste of a fast-intensifying El Niño weather pattern this weekend, with forecasters warning the Pacific climate phenomenon could become the strongest on record over the past 100 years. Emergency services, health officials, and agricultural leaders are already ramping up preparations for dry conditions, severe gales, and heightened wildfire risks … Read more
National electricity demand reached unprecedented levels over the past two weeks, according to grid operator Transpower, as freezing temperatures swept across Aotearoa and pushed power systems to their limits. The surge in energy use prompted warnings of potential shortfalls, forced industrial cutbacks, and coincided with record-shattering low temperatures recorded by MetService in parts of the … Read more
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