What's the Weather like at your place?

[Alicat]

The gale force winds and heavy rain started late last night. Apart from the odd fine patch throughout the day (usually lasting no more than about 20 minutes) the rain has remained heavy and persistent. The ground is very wet and the freshly planted tomatoes have had a damned good watering. That I don't mind, but I'm feeling very sorry for my spring onions and water cress. The pots they are in are well awash. Hopefully they will  recover!

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

In spite of the forecast for showers, increasing to rain in Wairarapa today, it has actually been a beautiful sunny day.

A few clouds around the place, but mostly blue skies. And light-to-moderate winds.

Of to Auckland in about an hour and a half.....check in is just over an hour away....it only takes about 5-6 minutes to get to the airport from my place.

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

It is overcast, warm & muggy at my place in Wairarapa today....and it has that "thunderstorm" feel in the air.

Meanwhile, across the other side of the ranges in Wellington, it would appear they are having a stunning day....


Stunning setting for capital's big day

Wellington puts out the welcome mat

The Dominion Post | 3:07PM - Wednesday, 20 November 2013


STUNNER: An aerial shot of central Wellington taking in the harbour, Westpac Stadium and two cruise ships. — DAVE GREENBERG/Life Flight NZ.

IT'S A huge day — and night — for Wellington and the weather has come along to play.

Two huge cruise ships, The Voyager of the Seas and Celebrity Solstice, berthed at Wellington harbour this morning, turning many heads in the process.

The capital is also full of football fans from all over the country as the All Whites take on Mexico in their World Cup qualifier at Westpac Stadium from 7pm. (Our live coverage starts here from 6.30pm).

The football fans have been preparing for the big occasion all day (see our gallery), while Life Flight NZ's Dave Greenberg managed to capture it all in this shot: the amazing weather, the beautiful scenery, the ships and the stadium.

• PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9422197/Stunning-setting-for-capitals-big-day

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

The weather has just dramatically changed at my place....

[ssweetpea]

It's getting too f***ing hot too early in the summer.

This is January weather.


Record temperature a surprise after gloomy forecast

By Jamie Morton, Ben Irwin

5:30 AM Monday Nov 25, 2013

A record November temperature combined with blue skies set the scene for a weekend of packed beaches and a big turnout for the cross-harbour Chelsea Swim in Auckland.

According to MetService, Auckland reached 26C on Saturday. The previous accessible record for November was 25.5C in 1974.

Yesterday, temperatures reached 24.7C. The balmy temperatures over much of New Zealand came from a blocking high which kept at bay a low pressure system forecasters had predicted would bring wet weekend weather.

Lifeguards around the North Island reported crowded beaches, but said calm seas meant few problems.

Orewa Surf Club duty manager Miriam Barlow said Orewa Beach was so popular on Saturday that people had to park kilometres away and walk to get to the beach.

 

"It's been pretty busy," said Ms Barlow. "Lots of icecreams being sold, lots of tourists."

For those who took part in yesterday morning's cross-harbour Chelsea Swim, the fine weather provided ideal conditions which led to some of the fastest times in the event's 100-year history.

About 300 people took part in the 2.4km swim which started at Masefield Beach and ended at the Chelsea Sugar Refinery.

MetService meteorologist Tristan Oakley said predictions of poor weather had come after forecasters over-estimated the strength of the low and under-estimated the high above the North Island.

The hottest spots in the country yesterday were Blenheim at 29.1C and Masterton, which saw a high of 28.6C.

Auckland's weather

Today: Mostly fine, brief morning cloud. A high of 25.
Tomorrow: A few morning showers which will turn to rain in the afternoon. A high of 24.
Wednesday: Rain, possibly heavy. A high of 23, which will create muggy conditions
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11162244
Before you ask this month's rainfall for Auckland is slightly higher than average (last month was well down). The average temp for this month is 0.6 degrees higher than usual and we haven't been below average since May.

Oh, some Pohutukawa trees flowered so early that they are finished already. Several were in flower beginning of November.

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

I could hear a cicada chirping outside my kitchen window on Saturday.

I thought I was hearing things at first, but it went on for quite some time.

Eventually I shot outside, but it shut up as soon as I opened the back door and I couldn't see it.

However, I know what I heard.....the climate is definitely getting fucked-up by global warming when cicadas emerge from the ground in November.


And it's forecast for another 25°C day in Wairarapa today (which means 28-29°C in the towns).

The rail overtemperature sensors were triggering the heat alarms at work back in September this year, and now they go off virtually every day, resulting in temporary speed restrictions for the trains on sections of track which have been determined to be not fully destressed. Most years, we are well into December, or January before the rail overtemperature alarms start going off.

[nitpicker1]

some Pohutukawa trees flowered so early that they are finished already. Several were in flower beginning of November.

Pohutukawa and Rata were in flower beginning of November here too, and the temp on my out-in thermometer was 25^c in the shade at 3pm.

Road seal melt and sliding tyretracks  down by the wharf

February weather here, but SouWester last night brought cooling and drizzle, tgft.

 

[Alicat]

I could hear a cicada chirping outside my kitchen window on Saturday.

I thought I was hearing things at first, but it went on for quite some time.

Eventually I shot outside, but it shut up as soon as I opened the back door and I couldn't see it.

However, I know what I heard.....the climate is definitely getting fucked-up by global warming when cicadas emerge from the ground in November.

I've had cicada's here for about a week now. Not only have I heard them I have seen them ... I've then heard them again as they went down Bailey's throat, singing all the way down

[nitpicker1]

First real rain for the last six weeks started about 4am, maybe 8mm in a couple of hours, seems to have finished now.  we need more.
 

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

It's perfect summer weather in Wairarapa today....a great ending to 2013.

[nitpicker1]

here too, and a perfectly clear night sky proved that the stars are still there, haven't seen them for ages

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Strong winds rip through Wellington

The Dominion Post | 1:53PM - Friday, 03 January 2014


State Highway 58 between Whitby and Pauatahanui. — Photo: AARON NATION.

WELLINGTON is right now enduring the full force of a storm that has already toppled a lamppost into a house and almost destroyed a balcony.

The peak of the storm was blowing through Wellington at 12.30pm today and would start easing back about 1.30pm, MetService meteorologist Dan Corbett said.

Gusts had been recorded at 140km/h at Mount Kaukau above Wellington this morning and 133km/h on the top of the Rimutaka Hill.

Wellington Airport had reached gusts of 100km/h but these had dropped down to about 95km/h.

There were delays, cancellations and diversions to flights in and out of Wellington Airport today due to the high winds. Travellers are being asked to check with their airline or Wellington Airport's website to confirm flight status.

Senior Sergeant Marc Clausen said flooding due to heavy wind and rain had closed State Highway 58 between Joseph Banks Drive and Postgate Drive at Whitby and across the inlet at Gray's Road Pauatahanui.

There had been only minor traffic delays and it was anticipated both roads would be open within an hour as the tide went out.

Mr Clausen said the rain and wind had not contributed to any incidents or accidents around the region yet but he urged motorists to exercise caution, especially near State Highway 2 near Melling where surface flooding had created a hazard.


Inside Ken Oliver's conservatory after a lamp-post fell through it.
 — KENT BLECHYNDEN/Fairfax NZ.

In the Hutt Valley, a conservatory was destroyed with a "massive explosion" when a lamp-post was blown into a house in the suburb of Avalon.

Frank Oliver said his family was sitting in the lounge of his house when the pole snapped off its base outside and crashed through the conservatory.

"The whole top of the pole is sitting right in the house," he said.

Their elderly mother had just gone into a rest home but if she had been home there was a good chance she would have been in the conservatory, he said.

"We were in the lounge and heard this almighty crash," his brother Brent Oliver said.


Ken Oliver of Avalon, Lower Hutt, had a blown-over lamp-post fall into his conservatory. — KENT BLECHYNDEN/Fairfax NZ.

A Wellington Electricity spokesman said 144 houses in the Hutt Valley hills around Kelson had lost power at 9.15am. All but 14 were back on by noon. They were expected to be reconnected early this afternoon.

In Wellington city, a 20-metre stretch of glazing plus part of a balcony were almost blown off a home in Roseneath, Fire Service senior station officer John Mansford, said.

But the call at 9am was the first call his crew has has today.

"Generally speaking, what is left to blow down in Wellington has already blown down in the past several months," Mansford said.

Things should begin to ease back later today going into tomorrow, with a "breezy" northwest wind and some rain in the afternoon, Corbett said.

NZTA was urging motorists to take care driving over the Rimutaka Hill road today.


A torrid combination of wind and high tide conspire to make this pedestrian's life miserable on Balaena Bay. — KEVIN STENT/Fairfax NZ.


High tide and strong winds make trouble for motorists at Balaena Bay. — KEVIN STENT/Fairfax NZ.


Fire fighters work to stabilise a veranda damaged by strong winds in Roseneath. — KEVIN STENT/Fairfax NZ.


High tide at Plimmerton. — Photo: DOUG WIDDOWSON.


High tide at Plimmerton. — Photo: DOUG WIDDOWSON.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington-weather/9573423/Strong-winds-rip-through-Wellington

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

On the Wairarapa side of the ranges, it has been blowing somewhat, although nowhere near as bad as in Wellington.

Although, it may be a different story down in South Wairarapa around Featherston.

In fact, the sun has been shining most of the time at my place, although with the occasional passing shower.

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Tekapo sunniest town in the south

By MATTHEW LITTLEWOOD - The Timaru Herald | 5:00AM - Saturday, 11 January 2014



LAKE TEKAPO is the new sunshine capital of the South Island, eclipsing regular sunny towns Blenheim and Nelson.

It had 2,482 hours of sunshine last year, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) figures show.



The news had Mackenzie Mayor Claire Barlow crowing.

"Of course I'm going to remind my fellow mayors of Nelson and Marlborough of the fact we beat them," she said.

She said the sunshine label was "another string to the district's bow".

Lake Tekapo is home to Mount John Observatory, which hosts the country's biggest telescope.

In 2012, the International Dark Sky Association granted the Mackenzie night sky heritage reserve status.

"Tekapo had the clearest skies at night ... and now it appears we have the South Island's sunniest skies in the day. Bring it on," Mrs Barlow said.



Tekapo Springs general manager Cathy Hemsworth said that she was surprised by the result.

"It certainly hasn't been such a good start to the New Year, weather-wise."

"It's been cold, windy, and rainy."

"The sun has been out over the last couple of days, but people are still wrapping up."



She said weather played a big factor in tourism.

"A lot of New Zealand's recreational tourism depends on it, people make their decisions on whether they're going out based on the weather," Ms Hemsworth said.

The top towns nationally in the sunshine stakes were Whakatane (2,792 hours), New Plymouth (2,668 hours) and Gisborne (2,483 hours).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/9598550/Tekapo-sunniest-town-in-the-south

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Plenty of blue skies and at my place today.

However, the forecast is for gale-force nor'westers later.

[nitpicker1]

We had 16^c to 20^cand gentle NorWester overnight, a wee shower at about 8am and then a SouWester rain dropped the temp to the present 10^c

sky is cloudy, temp rising now sun breaks through as I write.

[nitpicker1]

where my grandies and greatgrandies are now


CWS Forecast: State College

Current Conditions for University Park (as of 1:50 PM):
 Light Snow, Temperature: 18 °F, Dew Point: 9 °F, Humidity: 68%,
 Wind: WSW at 12 MPH, Pressure: 29.70 inches Hg
 
Last Updated: Jan 24, 2014 at 3:54 pm

Forecast Discussion

The brutal cold that has been blanketing the east will continue throughout the coming week as well as snow possible across the state tonight into Saturday. Snow will also be possible into early next week.Snow will arrive in the western half of the state tonight where Winter Weather Advisories are already in effect. It will move west to east with areas in the eastern half experiencing a quick burst of heavy snow followed by snow showers. Meanwhile the cold will continue to dominate the entire region. Temperatures will continue to barely reach the teens for much of the weekend and into next week with the coldest air arriving Monday and Tuesday of next week. The only day of a slight "warmup" will be Sunday with temperatures reaching the middle to upper 20's. Overall this is setting up to be one of the coldest weeks in recent memory with record lows possible into the middle of next week across the region.

http://www.campusweatherservice.com/fcst.php?z=sc

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

[nitpicker1]

shredded lettuce, battered silverbeet, leafless beans, mashed white strawberries ...

**No, it ain't supposed to be in the recipes thread.**

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

shredded lettuce, battered silverbeet, leafless beans, mashed white strawberries ...

**No, it ain't supposed to be in the recipes thread.**

Lettuce-Silverbeet-Bean-Strawberry Goulash for dinner/dessert?   



BTW....it was pissing down at my place late this afternoon, but it appears to have stopped....for now.

I'll see what the weather is like when I head off to work just before 4:00AM.

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

CYCLONE? 

What cyclone?? 


Yesterday was overcast, but eerily still in Wairarapa.

A bit of light rain last evening, then a fine & still, but mostly overcast day this morning.

Early afternoon, the sky got dark and we got about ten minutes of heavy rain, then most of the clouds disappeared revealing blue skies and sunshine.

The nor'wester is blowing a bit, but hey.....that is normal for around here at this time of the year (as is the temperature in the high-20s).

So, cyclone? What cyclone?? 

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Some photos taken from the lighthouse above Cape Foulwind this evening....

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Colourful Corbett leaving MetService

MetService meteorologist calls it a day

The Dominion Post | 12:38PM - Friday, 09 May 2014


WEATHERED THE STORM: MetService meteorologist Dan Corbett, known for his colourful weather
commentary, is finishing up.

THE MAN who made talking about the weather an art form is leaving MetService.

Dan Corbett is today having his last day at MetService, where he has worked since 2011 — explaining the weather in colourful terms that people with no knowledge of meteorology can understand.

A "rip-snorting southerly" that slammed into Wellington last June was "like a freight train without a driver", a low stalled in the Tasman Sea delivering warm air to New Zealand was like a "like a car in mud", and a fine day in spring has been "the kind of fine day you'll want to grab with both hands and say ‘it's mine’."

Corbett — who has previously been a television weather forecaster for BBC in Britain and the United States — plans to take his family travelling, then to embark on "the next phase of life, whatever that happens to be".

Arriving in Wellington in 2011, he was soon in the middle of extreme weather events, including snow falling in Courtenay Place and The Terrace in Wellington that year, then last year’s June storms which created havoc around Wellington, including at Corbett’s home, where a tree crashed into his shed.

Even after covering tornadoes in the United States, New Zealand proved exciting in the meteorology game — especially compared to Britain’s bland weather.

"Here, you get some really, really mean weather."

His colourful turn of phrase was an effort to make the weather understandable to all, he said.

For example, rather than talking about an "intense trough" he would also explain it as the sort of weather "all the ducks at the duck pond will be smiling".

In 2011, Corbett replaced the equally colourful weatherman Bob McDavitt at MetService.

They were big shoes to fill, but the job was made easier thanks to eight months they spent working together.

Now fellow Brit John Law, and a team working with him, are filling Corbett’s shoes.

"It’s a big responsibility," Law said.

But like Corbett he had the benefit of working with his predecessor for a long time.

In fact, on his first day at the MetService in 2011 his first sight of Corbett was broadcasting while standing in the snow outside.

Law studied meteorology in Britain, where he worked as a meteorologist for six years before coming to New Zealand.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/10027773/Colourful-Corbett-leaving-MetService

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

It's the last days of Autumn, with Summer but a distant memory.

The following photographs were taken during the lunch-hour today while on a flight from Christchurch to Invercargill.


The Southern Alps with Aoraki-Mount Cook prominent in the centre of the photograph....






Looking across the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps (including Aoraki-Mount Cook) with the Port of Timaru in the bottom left-hand corner of the photograph....




Central Otago....






Looking across Otago towards Mount Aspiring (the prominent high peak on the horizon)....






The hills of Southland with the mountains of Fiordland in the background....




The weather in Invercargill is a bit of a mixed bag today. A lot of low cloud and occasional drizzle, but intermittent sunshine as well....

[ssweetpea]

ahhh, Invercargill reminds me so much of New Plymouth when I lived there....40 years ago.

Admittedly it has been 15 years since I was in Invercargill.