Winter weather: Warmer, wetter than average conditions for much of New Zealand
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) forecaster Chris Brandolino said rain-bearing low-pressure systems
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RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
If La Niña takes control of summer there could be heavy rain or a 'heat dome'
The heatwave that struck Europe during the Northern Hemisphere summer is not necessarily in store for New Zealand. Photo: AFP / Dimitar Dilkoff The heatwave affecting Europe won't be a precursor for New Zealand's summer, according to Earth Sciences New Zealand. Large swathes of Europe are experiencing yet another heatwave, with record temperatures and wildfires burning in several countries. The heat is pegged to a weather phenomenon known as a 'heat dome', where an area of high pressure traps the warm air underneath it. But Chris Brandolino, a forecaster at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA), told Morning Report Europe's summer weather did not offer any insight into what our summer might look like. '"Europe is a long way away. The climate drivers that affect their weather are different from ours. "We're an island nation surrounded by water. We can get high-pressure domes that can cause extended periods of warm to hot weather during the warm season. But it's tempered by the ocean. "We tend to get really hot temperatures when a heat dome forms over Australia, for example, and that air gets shifted to the east over New Zealand." As to what our summer would bring, Brandolino said it was a bit too far out to know exactly. But the weather forecaster had some long-range predictions for the North and South Islands. "When we're making a super long-range outlook, we're trying to identify what the expected climate drivers are, who's going to be driving Mother Nature's car? "Right now, La Niña is emerging as a contender to be driving that car," he said. "Historically, when we have La Niña, we tend to have high pressure that can produce a heat dome over south-eastern New Zealand "That would mean areas in the South Island, particularly the western South Island, have the best chance of dry weather, perhaps too much dry weather. We'll potentially have to be mindful of a lack of rainfall and the implications that come from that. "For the North Island, it depends on where the high pressure sets up. If it sets up closer to New Zealand, it will shield much of the country from northerly winds that will bring heavy rainfall and humidity. "If the high pressure is further east, towards the Chatham's let's say, that opens the door for winds to come from the North and east, and areas in the northern and eastern North Island will have higher odds for big rainfall." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Weather: Snowfall impacts South Island roads, north braces for 100km/h gales
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Kiwis can expect a chilly start to the week as snow falls in the south and is set to coat parts of the North Island tomorrow, bringing with it the potential for gale-force winds. Eight road snowfall warnings are now in place across the country, with snow expected to fall to about 200m in many areas. MetService forecaster Devlin Lynden told the Herald motorists should be mindful of conditions and expect disruptions along high alpine roads. Workers lay grit on the Crown Range Rd in Queenstown after overnight snow in 2022. Photo / George Heard 'The Lower South Island has already seen snow to quite low levels, which has started to impact some of the roads down there.'
RNZ News
08-08-2025
- RNZ News
Midday Report Essentials for Friday 8th August 2025
sport education 6 minutes ago In today's episode, The MP for Auckland is backing calls for the government to act urgently to get the city's sluggish economy moving; A Northland school has been forced to roster students home due to a winter staffing crisis; Three Kiwis have been among hundreds battling it out in Utah at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats 'Speedweek'; If you've been enjoying a bit of settled weather this week, it's about to come to an end.
