A list of the biggest weather events of the year has been compiled

MetService forecasters have issued more than 300 Severe Weather Warnings for over 50 weather events over the course of 2020.

Communications meteorologist Lewis Ferris says the extreme rainfall in Fiordland, Southland and parts of Westland early in the year was one of the biggest.

He says that led to MetService issuing its first ever Red Warning for heavy rain - which is the most extreme level of warning it can issue.

Extreme rain in Whangarei in July, and Napier in November were other notable events.

As was the declaration of a drought for many parts of the country from February onwards, and snow falling to sea level around Stewart Island, Southland and the beaches of Dunedin in September.