WEATHER
Warmest late August in years for East, double the usual rain for West
A cold front and low stalling over the South Island will bring snow to parts of the high country within the next couple of days.
West Coast and Southland wet while the east dries out
10 of the 13 regions around New Zealand will be substantially dry by the end of September.
Hard frosts this week, then an unsettled westerly September
The week ahead brings sharp frosts, and a large, cold high will settle over the country from Monday and hold for the week.
How will El Ninō play out in the modern climate?
Strong nor'west and southwest winds will run through spring and summer, drying out the east of both islands while the west and far south turn wet.
El Niño risk makes early nitrogen more valuable this spring
Getting lambs off farm early could pay off more than usual this season, with forecast El Niño conditions raising the risk of a dry finish to spring.
Cold week ahead before El Niño dry spring sets in
The cold snap is clearing, leaving hard frosts, before westerlies return about 20 to 24 August and usher in an El Niño-shaped spring.
Weekly weather: Cold to continue for next fortnight
Brief southerly changes on Friday and next week could bring snow to low levels in the eastern South Island.
Settled North Island, cold and snowy South Island ahead
Tony Trewinnard from Blue Skies Weather says the North Island will stay relatively settled over the next fortnight while the South Island wears a cold southwesterly and mountain snow.
El Niño declared, possibly one of the strongest on record
El Niño has been officially declared and is expected to intensify into one of the strongest events on record, raising the stakes for farmers.
Are our weather warning systems up to scratch?
The storm that hit the lower North Island and caused extensive damage to farmland was not given red warning status from forecasters.