MetService Blog

This blog post is the first in a three-part series discussing verification of MetService forecasts. Here, we present the method used for verifying rainfall in city forecasts, along with some recent examples.

684 Unique Browsers visited my first blog and you spent an average of 2m.18s reading the blog, which is not bad for a first effort. I find the statistics about ones site incredible and while this blog is not about attracting advertising revenue, it is important to know the stats and demographics of your blog if you want it to be successful. Apparently if you want lots of people to read your blog you need to write some crazy stuff …….. but I also might lose my job :)

Last Saturday many parts of New Zealand, especially South Island, experienced Foehn winds. As summer approaches 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.  

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:

The severe weather in various parts of the country over the last week or so has presented a significant challenge to some communities – and to staff at MetService as well. Getting the message out about severe weather, particularly when it involves rapid changes, requires excellent communication with the New Zealand public and many organisations managing weather-related risks. The message needs to be relevant and clear – not always an easy task, given that users of weather information have such diverse needs.

New Zealand has been in a strong west to southwest flow for a few days now. This weather regime looks as though it will continue for the next few days.

There are reasons why the weather gets into regimes like this. It has to do with what meteorologists call the "long waves".

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:

A story titled "Massive storm heading for New Zealand" went viral in the online media overnight Wednesday 15 September.

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.  

These clouds show waves rolling along and breaking in the sky, similar to the way that waves behave on the sea.