MetService is warning that fake AI-generated weather maps on social media could cause confusion during real emergencies.
Meteorologist John Law said inaccurate charts can create unnecessary alarm, downplay genuine risks, and undermine trust in official forecasts.

Upper Hutt weather watcher Daniel Talbot said he has recently seen more AI-generated “rubbish” weather maps from unknown Facebook accounts that some users appear to believe. Talbot runs Wellington Severe Weather Reports, has about 90,000 followers, and shares data from a crowdfunded Upper Hutt weather station with MetService.

One page he criticised, NZ Chronicle, posted maps that MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan said did not match actual weather and misused standard map symbols and colours.The page also listed contact details belonging to a Wellington hotel, which said it had no connection and reported the page to Facebook.

Law urged people to verify maps against official sources, watch for obvious errors and alarmist language, and avoid sharing fake weather posts.

Source: Janhavi Gosavi / New Zealand Herald

22/05/26