A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of the North Island this afternoon, with potential for localized downpours and flash flooding. The watch is in effect from 1pm to 9pm today for inland Bay of Plenty, eastern Taupō, inland Gisborne, and the Wairoa District. Severe Thunderstorm Watch for North Island MetService said afternoon … Read more
Residents across the North Island of New Zealand observed a sun halo, a rare but not uncommon atmospheric phenomenon, on Tuesday. Sun Halo Explained MetService shared a photograph of the 22⁰ circular halo on social media, noting it was visible due to a thin veil of high cloud covering the upper North Island. The phenomenon … Read more
A staggering 30% increase in extreme rainfall events across New Zealand over the past decade isn’t simply a statistical anomaly; it’s a harbinger of a future defined by increasingly volatile weather patterns. While recent severe thunderstorm watches for Auckland and Northland have been lifted, and warnings downgraded, the underlying message is clear: New Zealand is … Read more
Festivalgoers at Rhythm and Vines can expect drier conditions for the remainder of the event after a wet start to the three-day music festival in Gisborne. Soggy Start to Rhythm and Vines The festival began with thousands attending in gumboots and ponchos as the city’s airport MetService station recorded its wettest December day since 1937. … Read more
New Zealand’s Shifting Climate: Preparing for a Future of Extreme Weather Events A staggering 40% increase in extreme weather events has been recorded across New Zealand in the last decade, a trend that’s poised to accelerate. While recent headlines focus on the potential for severe thunderstorms to disrupt New Year’s Eve celebrations in Northland and … Read more
Severe weather is impacting much of New Zealand as an active low-pressure system moves across the country, prompting weather alerts to be upgraded to warnings and disrupting summer plans for many. Weather Warnings in Place Across North and South Islands Orange heavy rain and strong wind warnings are in effect for most of the North … Read more
New Zealand’s Climate Reality: From New Year’s Drenching to a Future of Intensified Extremes A staggering 95% of New Zealand’s landmass is now projected to experience at least one climate-related extreme event annually by 2050, according to recent modeling from NIWA. This isn’t a distant threat; it’s unfolding now, as the nation braces for a … Read more
Egypt Braces for Severe Cold Snap and Hazardous Travel Conditions Egypt is preparing for a significant drop in temperatures, with forecasts predicting extremely cold weather across much of the country on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Meteorological authorities are warning residents to take precautions against the biting cold and potential hazards, particularly on roadways due to … Read more
A record-breaking 30°C in parts of the North Island, contrasted with downpours in the South – this year’s Christmas Day forecast is a stark illustration of a growing trend. New Zealand’s traditionally temperate summers are becoming defined by extremes, and the festive season is increasingly caught in the crosshairs. But this isn’t just about a … Read more
New Zealand’s Shifting Christmas Climate: Preparing for a Future of Unpredictable Holidays Just 7% of New Zealanders experienced a truly ‘white Christmas’ – defined as snow falling on Christmas Day – in the last 80 years. But the story isn’t simply about snow. This year, as reports from 1News, the NZ Herald, Stuff, the Otago … Read more