New Zealand braces for record-breaking El Niño with drier conditions and increased fire risk
A potentially historic El Niño is intensifying rapidly, bringing drier, windier weather and risks to farming and power generation across New Zealand this spring.
Ocean temperatures have reached record levels as Earth Sciences New Zealand expects one of the strongest El Niño events on record to develop. The intensifying climate pattern is expected to bring drier conditions and increased wildfire risk to eastern parts of the country, along with warmer than average temperatures for the east and north of the North Island. Western regions of the South Island face the prospect of stormy weather and flooding. Emergency services and farmers are preparing for the impacts on agriculture, power generation, and public safety.
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What outlets are saying
1News
Fire crews, farmers preparing as NZ gears up for intense El Niño
A potentially record-breaking climate pattern is intensifying unusually fast — and this weekend could offer the first taste of drier, windier conditions.
Stuff
‘Selling potential income’: The farmer, the drought risk and a looming El Niño summer
Earth Sciences New Zealand expects El Niño to intensify into one of the strongest events on record, affecting rainfall patterns across the country.
1News
Five things to know about how record-breaking El Niño will affect us
Ocean temperatures are at record levels, with New Zealand facing the prospect of a drier year, increased wildfire risk and impacts on farming and power generation.
interest.co.nz
What might the expected 'super' El Niño mean?
How will this year’s record‑breaking El Niño affect New Zealand and the world? Five things to know
Otago Daily Times
Agencies preparing for impact of El Niño weather conditions
BusinessDesk
Seeking profits from the chaos of El Niño
By Ed Ballard El Niño is an awe-inspiringly complicated network of relationships across air and ocean, tying snowfall in Chile with drought in Papua New Guinea and connecting floods in Texas with Antarctic sea ice.
1News
Daniel Corbett – here's what our intensifying El Niño spring will look like
Our resident forecaster and meteorologist explains what to expect as we head into the new season.
RNZ
El Niño expected to be 'strongest in recent history'
The conditions increase the chance of strong winds and dry conditions in eastern parts of the country, and stormy weather and flooding in the lower western South Island.
Stuff
‘Godzilla’ El Niño has strengthened significantly: What NZ should prepare for this spring
A rapidly strengthening El Niño could become one of the strongest in recent history. From dry spells in Auckland to stormy weather in the South Island, here’s what New Zealand can expect this spring.
Stuff
The strongest El Niño in decades is taking shape. What it means for NZ
Scientists report that the current warming trend is the steepest ever observed, drawing direct comparisons to the historic El Niño event of 1997.
1News
One of strongest El Niños on record to drive warm, windy spring for NZ
Above average temperatures are most likely for the east and north of the North Island this spring.
Otago Daily Times
El Niño expected to be 'strongest in recent history'
Stuff
Is ‘Godzilla’ El Niño about to unleash a horrendous hayfever season?
If your nose has already started plotting against you, there maybe be worse to come: “Godzilla” El Niño could make New Zealand’s grass-pollen season particularly nasty.