Hi there, if we were all the same there would be no need for competition. The world would use one single source. Think of weather data as like ingredients – WeatherWatch and MetService use those ingredients to create our forecasts, and like two different restaurants we produce a different product (even if similar). MetService is warning of thunderstorms for those downpours – thundery downpours can “break” any rain forecast and that’s what MetService is singling out here with their tax funded warnings/watches. The forecasts we have at WeatherWatch are generally the most accurate for rainfall in NZ (and globally our data source is the most accurate via The Weather Company) – but what MetService is warning of is something we have also said this week… ie, thunsderstorms/heavy downpours may “break” what is forecast and give you much higher totals in some pockets. Official MetService warnings need to cover all bases due to the nature of protect people.

One stalled downpour can give someone 100mm, while someone very nearby only gets 20mm. Some downpours – isolated ones – are almost entirely impossible to forecast very much in advance if they are developing over the top of us – so the warnings from MetService cover the possibility of one forming.

Put simply: Use our forecast data as the baseline – and use MetService on top of that to help work out where severe weather may cause further issues/higher totals. Then track it all on rain radar to verify.

Hope that makes sense.
– WW

Hi Cris, we only display the weather observations from a third party – we don’t control it or know who operates each station. You can see our network here: https://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/maps-radars/observations/live-observations

Our network is ultimately coming from Wunderground: https://www.wunderground.com/pws/overview

Kind regards,
– WW

Hi Josh – Looks borderline for severe weather in Auckland – but overall a rough end to the week and cold weekend for everyone!
– WW