Milford Sound has experienced an unprecedented dry spell in 2025, receiving just 10% (111.8mm) of its usual rainfall according to the New Zealand Met Service.

Normally the Sound would have received around 1024.5mm to date.

This year's dry is in stark contrast to last year, when a single day in January saw a deluge of 390.3mm, more than three times the total rainfall so far in 2025.

Typically, Milford Sound's rainfall comes from the northwest, but this summer has been dominated by a south-southeasterly flow over Aotearoa.

This unusual weather pattern has brought above-average rainfall and cooler temperatures to the eastern parts of the country, while the west, including Milford Sound, has experienced the opposite, the Met Service said.