In 2007 our weather radar network looked like the picture below. The dark part of the circle is the area / range in which the radar is very accurate and the lighter range is useful as a heads-up. New modern radars send out both vertical and horizontal scans allowing us to not only determine the presence of rain but the volume as well. This is really handy for forecasting and tracking storms and severe weather.
The Foehn Wind
Written by Chris Webster, Meteorologist
On Saturday 16 October 2010, many parts of New Zealand, especially South Island, experienced Foehn winds. During the approach to summer, eastern parts of both islands will get more warm Foehn winds under suitable conditions. In this blog post I'll describe what the Foehn wind is and explain how it comes about. We'll start by looking at temperature reports from weather stations on Saturday 16 Oct 2010.
YouTube: end of cold southwesterly outbreak in sight
MetService Chief Forecaster Peter Kreft explains, in general terms, the severe weather expected as the "tail end" of the current cold southwesterly outbreak approaches. Click below to view the YouTube clip:
Challenges in forecasting severe weather
Written by Peter Kreft, Meteorologist
Wave three
Written by Peter Kreft, Meteorologist
MetService Chief Forecaster explains expected weather for next few days
MetService Chief Forecaster Peter Kreft explains why severe weather is expected (and in general terms, what is expected) over parts of New Zealand in the few days from Thursday 16 September 2010. Click below to view the YouTube clip:
Going Viral
Written by Peter Kreft, Meteorologist
September 2010
A story titled "Massive storm heading for New Zealand" went viral in the online media overnight Wednesday 15 September 2010.
Charles Kingsford Smith
Written by Chris Webster Meteorologist
A recent visit to Sydney International Airport has inspired me to write a little about another famous aviator with a New Zealand connection. Last year I wrote a post about Jean Batten who, in her youth had met the topic of this post, Charles Kingsford Smith. Auckland International Airport is named in honour of Jean Batten and likewise Sydney International Airport is named after Charles Kingsford Smith.
Breaking waves in the sky
These clouds show waves rolling along and breaking in the sky, similar to the way that waves behave on the sea.
Wet and windy around Friday the 13th
Wet and windy conditions battered parts of New Zealand around Friday 13 August