[Kim39]

:uhoh Grey, windy summer in store for us

04.11.2004
By AINSLEY THOMSON
After enduring a winter of severe flooding and icy weather, New Zealanders will be rewarded with ... a decidedly average summer.

Niwa released its seasonal climate forecast yesterday and the outlook is for windy, grey weather rather than endless days of golden sun.

Weak El Nino conditions are expected to continue next year, which will mean strong west to southwest winds over the country until January.

In El Nino years the trade winds weaken, giving northern New Zealand relatively cold, dry weather.

The reverse occurs in La Nina years, bringing warmer, wetter weather.

Air temperatures this summer will be near-average in the North Island and eastern South Island, and average or below-average elsewhere.

Rainfall will be normal or below-normal in the north and east of the North Island and the eastern South Island, and normal or above-normal in the west of both islands.

Ocean temperatures are expected to be 0.5C cooler than normal for the next three months.

Senior climate scientist Jim Salinger said there was a slight risk from tropical cyclones.

"Sometimes we have them cruise past in January, but they usually arrive later on, so it is only a slight risk."

MetService meteorologists are forecasting gusty northwesterlies about and south of Wellington for tomorrow and are warning people to save their fireworks until Friday, when the winds should ease.

A low-pressure system is crossing the Tasman Sea. MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said the northwest flow ahead of this low would bring gusty conditions to the Cook Strait area today and hot, dry weather to the east of the South Island.


:eek

[jo b]

No need to pack the wolly's away then :mrgreen:

Jo

[Diny]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news Kim old chap, but my mother in law recently told me that it's years since they had a decent summer.

I was last there in the late summer early autumn this year and although it got fairly bright at times, it piddled down every day and was freeeeeeezing !!!!!

I know the NZ climate varies dramatically from one region to another but I never have understood all the talk about blazing hot endless NZ summers.

The way things are going with us (re sale of house), we'll be missing the summer completely (whatever it turns out to be like). Excuse me for being a grumpy old bag tonight, have been sitting by the phone all evening waiting for a call off some dude who wanted to make an appointment to come and view the house. Guess what ..........NO PHONE CALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've called him all the 4 letter expletives I could think of and cracked open a bottle of wine, which has resulted in a wuzzy head and a 'sod them all attitude'.

I think bed is the best place for me.

Diny

[Diny]

Uh oh ........ now the morning after. Just read the above posting which I did just before I went to bed last night.

Me thinks I was in a grump :(

Sorry about that folks, but when folks build your hopes up about the house sale and then don't follow through it just about makes me boil.

Regardless to what the weather forecast says, I promise I will be a ray of glorious sunshine from now on .......... yeah right.

Happy days and apologies for being a moody tart.

Diny

[jo b]

Hey Moody Tart,

how's the head this morning.

I think all this stress of emigrating is turning me into an Alcoholic :laugh

Jo

[Diny]

Head isn't too bad - but there again I practically own shares in Anadin !!

Punishing myself with a really severe bout of house cleaning and tidying. Have just thrown a huge pile of clothes on the bed which I'm throwing out, will put them on e-bay later today. New beginnings !!

As for the house .... got rid of the agent this morning. We put it on the internet last week and we've had a little interest in it (more than we got from the agent), so we've decided to give it a go ourselves. Have realised that nothing will happen this side of Christmas so I may as well chill out. Would you believe ..... we've even put house on e-bay. Not had any offers (which we knew would happen) but there's 2 people interested and watching it ......... any exposure is good exposure .... you just never know do you?

See you soon ........... Diny

[Dave & Sandra]

Kim

Just had 3 lovely days of sunshine - the woodburner is sitting in the corner sulking due to lack of use. :laugh Weekend's not supposed to be so good though, rain is forecast. Bonfire night tomorrow - which seems really weird in this current heat wave. We should be huddling around a bonfire to keep warm. It's just like the UK - fireworks have been going off for the last week or so. I'm looking forward to the firework extravaganza on 10th at a place called Manfeild Park just a walk away from our house. Everybody in the local bar is talking about it - seems to be the event of the season. But there is truck racing at the same place at the weekend - which Dave and I will be going to experience. :yes

It's funny but I can't get my head around Christmas at all this year - think we may give it a miss. I just can't imagine Christmas being in just over 1 months time - it's not natural.

:eek Experienced my first earthquake tonight at 9.40pm. The ceiling was making creaking noises and then there was this sort of ripple effect in the sofa - very odd experience. I'm a bit worried because I haven't seen the cat since. Eeeh, it's all new experiences in NZ, come on down and get that house sold.

Diny - You are having probs with that house sale :no Just tell me when to book the table at Barista :clap Saw PB's old house the other week when I took a drive up the Halcombe Road. Very nice :yes

Sandra

[Diny]

Don't worry Sandra - Barista is top of the list when we get there. Nothing flash but food to die for ...... the warm humous and pitta is a must.

So you saw PB's old house. It's a cracker isn't it? It's really amusing to see it there, can't get my head around the fact that it use to be in Ruahine Street PN for many many years.

I know what you mean about Christmas ...... it just doesn't seem right in the middle of summer does it. Why does my mother in law always send Christmas cards with snow scenes on them? Mind you - not as strange as getting a card with a beach view on it with the words Happy Christmas on the inside ....... I think cancelling it is the best idea (whatever country you're in).

An earthquake - they're pretty neat eh?

See you soon (now that's a positive thing to say isn't it).

Diny

[lindajax]

We'll go from wet and cold to wet and cold - well at least it won't be that drastic a change then!! suppose we'd better rethink the packing :eek

hey, Kim - thanks for that mate :wah
linda xx