Wetland floods

Temperate rain forests


Dry Deserts

Winter Snow

Lots of warm sun

Approaching storm in the rain forest

Cold Antarctic minus 20ºC "storm"

New Zealand contains numerous microclimates usually making for varied and memorable experiences for guests.

Clothing lists and methods to avoid discomfort are issued to guests before they arrive. Expenditure for clothing is minimal as guests' wardrobes normally include the required items. 

Patterns
Every 2 weeks, on average, a cold front sweeps from the Antarctic engulfing the land with cold winds and rain (occasionally snow in winter).  These short bursts of energy are preceded by strengthening warm dry winds on the east of the Alps and deluges to their west.   The cold fronts are then generally followed by extended periods of calm sunshine. 

Sumer (December - March) day temperatures usually range between 15^oC and 28^oC 
Winter (May - August) day temperatures range between 5^oC and 15^oC 

Studies:
NZ weather involves many microclimates generally related to alpine and air flow influences.  Interested groups follow and interpret weather maps throughout the tour while experiencing their predictions.  We can follow the causes of various items:- clouds , wind, snow, rain, barometric pressures, humidity, cyclonic and anti cyclonic patterns, seasonal variations and temperatures are all included.

Seasonal influences have large effects on vegetation wildlife and human activities.

Microclimates
Vastly different microclimates are created mainly by the Alpine divide and prevailing airflows. :-  Alpine snows, tundra deserts, world's wettest rainforests, and moderating coasts,  With these we begin to understand the effects on land, flora & fauna.

Mountains
Regular falls of snow, fog and rain with mainly very cold temperatures make these areas habitable only for a very select group of life forms. Erosion rates are high here and seasons impact violently.

World's wettest
See unique rainforests numerous flood prone rivers in the world's wettest microclimate.  Here 8 metres of rain with 80 metres of snow on the alps is common.  This is all created by the collision of the Roaring Forties and the towering Southern Alps.

Coasts
We see how aspects and locations affect the weather at different places. We experience moderated temperatures and periods of strong salt laded winds that affect the beaches and various coastal erosion and deposition processes.

Deserts
Here we can experience both extremes of heat and cold, explore the poor soils and the reasons for low rainfall rates that contribute to desert formation. more>

Click here to See today's weather with current map & Satellite photos.
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World's coldest
Blizzards are recreated at the International Antarctic Centre just for the experience Gain also a unique insight into the natural sciences of polar climates more>