Autumn's here! Help!

[Glenda]

Thanks all. :)

Now I know what a 'historical' event it was I would have gone out there and taken more photos of the flooding, stranded cars etc. At the time there was a lot on my mind and one does not really want to photograph other people's misfortunes. Quite frankly, the camera would have been as soaked, as I was, in seconds. The possibility that the kids were freaking out was a big worry - many children did not get home that night.

Now there is hardly any flooding to see at all, just lots of debris. It is a wonder where all the water has gone - even the ditches are empty. Probably helps that weather is gorgeous at the moment 23/24 degrees ... still summer really. :D

:)

[Debd]

Glenda, that was some rain. It was incessant here for over 48 hours too but I didn't witness anything 'off'. The grey hard raining days made us feel quite glum at first. The kids large empty paddling pool was still nearly full to the brim today - that's after 2 days of hot sunshine too. Such wierd weather.
I'd have hated it if my kids weren't with me that night you mentioned! I'm glad you were re-united. It sounds like you have a good community up there. (Living on a busy road here in Auckland, you don't get to see your neighbours ever!)

[MotherBear]

And there's more.....?

Batten down for a wild, wet winter a La Nina
5:00AM Monday April 02, 2007

El Nino is dead, but New Zealanders may get a La Nina weather pattern in its place, a climate scientist says.

"A transition to La Nina has recently become a substantial possibility," says researcher Jim Salinger of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa).

Conditions in the Pacific Ocean are neutral at the moment, but over the next couple of months New Zealand could be set up for a wet winter.

The strong El Nino of 1997-1998 was followed by a prolonged La Nina phase that extended from mid-1998 to early 2001.

A La Nina brings cold water to the tropical Pacific Ocean, but water temperatures around New Zealand are usually warmer than normal.

And there are more northerly and northeasterly winds, which tend to bring moist, rainy conditions to the northeast of the North Island and reduced rainfall to the south and southwest of the South Island.

This means that some areas, such as central Otago and South Canterbury, can experience drought in both El Nino and La Nina years. But a cloudier, wetter summer in the north of the country increases the chance of tropical storms, such as the one that hosed down Northland this week.

More here .

[Dawn]

And there's more.....?

Batten down for a wild, wet winter a La Nina
5:00AM Monday April 02, 2007

:(Great! Just as we're due to arrive :rolleyes: )

[MotherBear]

Wintry blasts set to chill country
4:20PM Tuesday April 10, 2007



A series of wintry blasts is set to hit the South Island on Wednesday and then drift up the rest of the country, sharing its misery.

The MetService has issued severe weather warnings for wind and rain for the south of the South Island for tomorrow.

Spokesman Bob McDavitt said after the first of the fronts, a bitterly cold southwesterly would hit Southland on Thursday and spread over the country on Friday.

The weather would be driven by a low pressure system over the Southern Ocean.

As the low deepens west-northwest winds over exposed hills of Southland are likely to rise to gale force tonight and peak around dawn tomorrow.

More here .

[MotherBear]

Tie your kangaroo down, sport (or NZ equivalent). Getting windy in Auckland. Keep safe, everyone! ???

Snow falls in Dunedin, severe gales forecast for Auckland
12:45PM Friday April 13, 2007

Snow fell in Dunedin's hill suburbs this morning, as sleet, rain and wind hit other parts of the city.

Meanwhile, MetService said strong winds in Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula could reach severe gale force around lunchtime.

It said the southwesterlies could peak with gusts of up to 120 km/h.

A warning of severe gales in some exposed coastal parts of Southland, eastern Otago and Banks Peninsula was also in place until late afternoon or evening.

The temperature in Dunedin was sitting at about three degrees all morning.

Police say there have not been any weather related problems so far, but they are urging motorists to continue driving to the conditions.

MetService is forecasting southwesterly winds of up to 130 km/h in exposed coastal areas for the rest of the day.

It said: "Gusts of this strength have the potential to cause damage to trees and power lines, and make driving difficult for high sides vehicles and motorbikes."



More here .

[selchie]

Goodness, it seems NZ is getting quite a lot of weather for autumn. Winter ought to be a doozy.