Drought Risk Indicator

The Drought Risk Indicator is an easy-to-use web app for the region’s rural community.

The Regional Council designed the tool – the first of its kind in New Zealand - to build drought resilience in the community with funding from Ministry for Primary Industries and in partnership with the Hawke’s Bay Rural Advisory Group.

It is an easy way for farmers to get a pulse check on the key climate conditions on their farm and wider area and supports farmers to make decisions early and plan for drought.

The tool shows a ‘traffic light warning system’ for drought based on live rainfall, soil temperature, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration data from the council’s 50 climate stations around the region.

How do I download the web app?

You can simply save the web app from your browser to your home screen.

Download the app here

• Firstly, turn on your location settings
• Open the app here and this will appear in the browser on your phone.

How to save as a web app on Apple phones:

• At the bottom of your screen you will see this upload symbol. 
• Scroll down until you reach 'add to Home Screen'
• You will then have the opportunity to name the app - we suggest 'Drought Risk Indicator'
• The app will now appear on your phone alongside your other apps

How to save as a web app on Android phones:

Chrome browser

• Select the three dots in the top right corner
• Select add to home screen
• Select the add button

Samsung browser

• Select the three lines in the bottom right corner
• Select 'add page to'
• Select 'Home Screen'
• Select the add button

Once you have the app open

• Open the app, and close the introduction pop-up box
• The home screen shows a map of Hawke’s Bay showing climate stations and rainfall sites, scroll down to see the legend 
• The three colours are based on a traffic light system – red means warning (and you can find out what you can do by clicking the link there), in general terms yellow means watch, and green is okay.  (Yellow means there has been two months of below normal rainfall. Red means three months below normal rainfall but the colour/status is also influenced by soil moisture levels and rainfall accumulation).

Tab icons at bottom

• Gauge – drought risk indicator, warning, watch,
• Graphs – shows rainfall accumulation, soil moisture, soil temperature and PET accumulation
• Actions – resources for support and advice, and what to do in a drought
• i - (in top right corner) information about the app

Video explaining the app

 We welcome any feedback for continuous improvement. Please email comms@hbrc.govt.nz.