Parts of Canterbury could reach 28C next week, but unsettled weather may also bring rain, strong winds and even snow as warm northerlies meet colder southerlies.

One town tipped to reach 28C next week

Unsettled weather may also bring rain, strong winds and even snow as warm northerlies meet colder southerlies.

Fri, Oct 9

Many areas of the world are likely to be affected, with flooding seen here in Thailand.

How El Niño manages to cause both drought and floods

El Niño is already breaking records, and scientists say a rapidly warming Pacific Ocean could see it strengthen even further before its expected peak later this year.

Sat, Oct 3

El Niño conditions could increase the chances of wildfires in the Hawkes Bay region.

El Niño could raise wildfire and water risks in Hawke’s Bay, council says

Hawke's Bay is bracing for the possible environmental impacts of El Niño, including fish deaths, algal blooms, wildfires and poor water quality.

Fri, Oct 2

An umbrella in the rain.

Heavy rain, strong winds to sweep NZ over school holiday weekend

MetService said a front would move onto the South Island overnight before tracking north across the country over the weekend.

Thu, Oct 1

Steve Devine captured a screenshot of the "mini tornado" that blew through the Mitre 10 carpark this afternoon,

Waikanae local describes hunkering in car during 'mini tornado'

A Kapiti Coast teacher says he experienced the strongest winds of his life after capturing a "mini tornado" that he said caused damage to vehicles.

Sun, Sep 27

Many families are expected to be on the road this weekend for the start of the school holidays.

School holiday travel disrupted by snowy, wet and windy start

NZTA said caution was advised for those travelling throughout the central South Island today as heavy snow blanketed highways and caused disruptions.

Sun, Sep 27

The warnings come as an "active front" moves across the country during the first week of the school holidays. Source: metService

Weather warnings issued as 'active front' brings heavy rain, gales

The lower North Island and Canterbury region are set for wild weather after meteorologists warned this weekend was forecast to be "interesting".

Sat, Sep 26

Strong wind and heavy rain watches are in place for the lower North Island as a front moves northwards over the country.

'Active front' to bring snow, gales and travel headaches across NZ

MetService said wintry conditions will be brief but intense, with the worst weather expected to hit on Sunday.

Fri, Sep 25

Illustration of cold weather.

'Touches of winter' to bring wet, windy start to school holidays

MetService said a series of fronts was expected to bring unsettled weather over the coming days, before a stronger system arrived on Sunday.

Thu, Sep 24

A firefighter sprays water in an attempt to extinguish a wildfire burning through a peatland forest in Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Sept. 5, 2026.

El Niño-driven heat could cause nearly half a million more deaths

As many as 451,000 more heat-related deaths between June and the end of February could be attributed to the naturally occurring climate pattern.

Wed, Sep 23

Much of the North Island will drop below freezing overnight with Taupō forecast to hit -4C as a blast of cold southern air brings unseasonable frosts.

Late-season frosts to send much of North Island below zero overnight

MetService says tonight's temperatures as "quite cold for this time of year" as southern air sweeps the country just hours after the spring equinox.

Wed, Sep 23

A funnel cloud sighted off Opunake in southern Taranaki.

Funnel cloud off Taranaki, snow on alpine passes as cold sweeps in

The southwesterly flow has also brought unsettled skies further north, with a funnel cloud seen by residents in southern Taranaki.

Wed, Sep 23

All signs are pointing toward a record-breaking El Niño this year.

El Niño threatens Asia with drought, could raise food prices globally

El Niño is already fuelling wildfires across farmland, depleting water supplies for major cities and hurting fish catches in the region.

Tue, Sep 22

Road snowfall warnings were in place across several key South Island routes on Tuesday.

Cold snap brings snow to South Island roads, gales and frost ahead

Road snowfall warnings are in place across multiple alpine routes, with MetService also forecasting a widespread frost later in the week.

Tue, Sep 22

Reduced Northland farm production is among the economic impacts potentially likely as El Niño conditions intensify

Strengthening El Niño starting to be felt across Northland

El Niño conditions strengthened considerably during August and have shown the strongest warming trend on record, with impacts on Northland's weather patterns already emerging.

Fri, Sep 18

MetService meteorologist John Law said there had been a run of "amazing temperatures" this week, including above 21C for Christchurch.

Spring's 'up and down' temps bring frosts, showers and cooler days

Meteorologist John Law told Breakfast people could expect temperatures to "really fluctuate this season, up and down as we head through the next few days".

Fri, Sep 18

Snow and ice were affecting some highways across the South Island, with NZTA urging caution for drivers.

South Island roads reopen after spring snow dump

NZTA said "general caution is being encouraged where snow and flooding remain" after two state highways reopened.

Thu, Sep 17

Snow in Southland

Temperatures tumble as snow and rain fall on inland south

Snow, heavy rain and plunging temperatures are set to hit parts of the South Island today as a cold front moves north, bringing a sharp end to the recent mild weather.

Wed, Sep 16

Autumn colours with a sprinkling of snow in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.

Spring weather whiplash: Snow, rain and a 'wintry chill' forecast

MetService said Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru could potentially swing from highs in the low 20s on Tuesday, to struggling to reach 10C by Thursday.

Mon, Sep 14

A sprinkler irrigation system at work on a farm pasture.

Major bank warns El Niño impact could slow GDP growth

Westpac says developing El Niño conditions could hit pasture-based farming hard, especially dairy, sheep and beef.

Mon, Sep 14

Rain on the Desert Road with snow-dusted mountains.

Rain, dusting of snow as cold front sweeps up the country

Most regions will have "pockets of sunshine" to look forward to this weekend.

Thu, Sep 10

The Makino floodgates have been activated near Feilding.

Floodgates activated, bridge on alert as heavy rain hits lower North

Heavy rain is raising river levels and causing disruption, with floodgates activated near Feilding and a Wairarapa bridge on alert.

Mon, Sep 7

Grey District Council shared an image of flooding over the road in the Arnold Valley.

Flooding, slips and snow wreak havoc across South Island roads

The closure on SH6, West Coast followed heavy rain and widespread surface flooding, fallen trees and other slips reported across the central South Island today.

Sun, Sep 6

Wet start to spring as heavy rain warnings issued for central NZ

Wet start to spring as heavy rain warnings issued for central NZ

Metservice said a large trough would bring heavy rain to many areas, while snow could also effect mountain passes of the South Island.

Sun, Sep 6

Tararua is preparing for a possibly prolonged and intense El Niño season.

The district bracing for an 'intense' El Niño season

Tararua is preparing for a possibly prolonged and intense El Niño season as scientists say this year’s climate event may be one of the strongest in recent history.

Fri, Sep 4