- Main Navigation
- News
- Business
- Sport
- Technology
- Entertainment
- Life & Style
- Travel
- Blogs
- Your Views
- Property
- Motoring
- Jobs
- Shopping
- News Section Navigation
Weather analyst Philip Duncan checks the forecast and the story behind the temperatures
Shift to spring in the wind
4:32PM Tuesday August 25, 2009
Well if you didn't believe spring had arrived already, there's little doubt of it now as temperatures today climb over the 20 degree mark.
As of midday it was 22 degrees in Napier, 21 in Hastings and 20 in Gisborne. There were a string of other centres on 18 and 19 degrees from Timaru to Whangarei. Not bad for "winter" which for some ends on Monday and for others ends almost another month away.
Overseas and a sudden burst of heat a couple of weeks ago across America and Canada has now eased and my family in Canada say the hottest part of summer is definitely over there. So it seems the weather patterns have again shifted gear a little earlier than usual... except the hurricane season which started late (by the way, it looks like the next storm is on the way).
The pattern set up over New Zealand is a classic spring one.
Last night thunderstorms boomed over a number of regions waking people up with spectacular flashes and loud crashing thunder. It was short lived for most but dramatic nonetheless.
Answer our online poll! - Do you love thunderstorms? Vote here.
I was glad last night's one was short lived... while I absolutely love thunderstorms I was almost asleep when my dog heard something (that I didn't). He started barking and I told him to "shuddup and go back to sleep".
He sat there quietly growling while I sat there trying to fall back to sleep... when suddenly a bright flash startled me.
"Here we go" I thought to myself... and sure enough 30 seconds later... big boom in the distance and the dog howling down the hallway (which always makes me laugh).
As the lightning got closer it didn't take him long to realise barking at this giant noise wasn't going to help, so he just sat at the end of my bed and we watched it pass over together in fascination. Fifteen minutes later it was gone and we both went back to sleep.
But it's not just thunderstorms that show the seasons are changing. The westerly wind is the most obvious sign.
In winter we get a lot of southerlies, in spring it shifts to westerlies. For a month now we have been sliding into more of a westerly flow but this past week - and week ahead - are the firmest proof yet.
Strong to gale westerlies, thunderstorms in the west, temperatures over 20 in the east, and not a frost to be found. Classically spring.
Typically the windiest weather is around the equinox at the end of Spring. I wonder if that has arrived a month early too? Or are we only just getting started?
- Philip Duncan
Pictured above: Thunderstorms are an indication of the changing seasons. File photo / Dean Purcell
Submit a comment
You need Javascript enabled in your web browser to post a comment.
Special Offers
Previous Posts
November 2009
A week of icebergs and high temperatures
8:00AM Friday November 20, 2009
Why New Zealand trumps the rest of the world
3:07PM Wednesday November 18, 2009
Extreme weather predictions for future
9:00AM Thursday November 12, 2009
10:35AM Monday November 9, 2009
Weather not ideal for Guy Fawkes celebrations
9:34AM Thursday November 5, 2009
8:30AM Monday November 2, 2009
October 2009
Why American weather systems trump NZ forecasters
4:56AM Wednesday October 28, 2009
11:51AM Monday October 26, 2009
Everything about America is big
11:51AM Monday October 26, 2009
Labour weekend - a mixture of sunny, dry and wet weather
4:00AM Friday October 23, 2009
Changeable weather for most of the country
9:10AM Monday October 19, 2009
8:47AM Thursday October 15, 2009
Unpredictable weather around the globe
12:42PM Tuesday October 13, 2009
4:00AM Friday October 9, 2009
Weather Watch: Ocean's incredible power
9:00PM Monday October 5, 2009
Having fun with weather forecasting
11:15AM Friday October 2, 2009
September 2009
7:00PM Wednesday September 30, 2009
Weather Watch: A burning issue
8:00PM Sunday September 27, 2009
11:00AM Thursday September 24, 2009
Weather Watch: Global warming - so what?
12:00AM Monday September 21, 2009
Weather Watch: An unusual week
3:30AM Thursday September 17, 2009
Weather Watch: Rangitoto's vanishing act
4:00AM Tuesday September 15, 2009
Weather Watch: Bouncing temperatures
12:00AM Monday September 14, 2009
Weather Watch: It's time for lip balm
2:00AM Thursday September 10, 2009
Weather Watch: An Auckland love affair
4:00AM Monday September 7, 2009
11:20AM Saturday September 5, 2009
9:46AM Thursday September 3, 2009
Weather Watch: Good riddance to Winter
4:00AM Tuesday September 1, 2009
August 2009
9:53AM Friday August 28, 2009
4:32PM Tuesday August 25, 2009
How the weather can change your life
2:39PM Monday August 24, 2009
What's your biggest weather pet peeve?
11:53AM Friday August 21, 2009
How do you tell if spring has arrived?
4:32PM Tuesday August 18, 2009
Hurricane season blows into Atlantic
1:34AM Monday August 17, 2009
Wet weekend to interrupt dry spell
4:26PM Monday August 10, 2009
11:55AM Monday August 10, 2009
Weather Watch: Atlantic Hurricane season looms
4:00AM Friday August 7, 2009
Weather Watch: Bill Gates sets his sights on hurricane control
4:00AM Wednesday August 5, 2009
12:43PM Monday August 3, 2009
Weather Watch: Yet another change in patterns
4:00AM Monday August 3, 2009
July 2009
Weather Watch: The roaring 40's - winds from the west
4:00AM Wednesday July 29, 2009
Weather Watch: A weird sort of winter
4:00AM Monday July 27, 2009
Weather Watch: You're welcome, NZ
8:50PM Sunday July 26, 2009
Weather Watch: Skies clearing as high moves in
4:00AM Friday July 24, 2009
Weather Watch: Thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening!
4:00AM Wednesday July 22, 2009
Weather Watch: Winter on the wane
4:00AM Monday July 20, 2009
Weather Watch: July warms up but stays wet
4:00AM Friday July 17, 2009
Weather Watch: a big, slow, friendly low
4:00AM Wednesday July 15, 2009
Weather blog: Why was Auckland spared?
1:44PM Sunday July 12, 2009
4:00AM Friday July 10, 2009
4:00AM Tuesday July 7, 2009
Heavy rain expected this weekend
4:00AM Friday July 3, 2009
4:00AM Wednesday July 1, 2009
June 2009
Thunderstorms shake up Auckland
11:41AM Monday June 29, 2009
9:43AM Sunday June 28, 2009
8:34AM Friday June 26, 2009
7:16AM Tuesday June 23, 2009
Temperatures plummet as high pressure spreads
7:46AM Friday June 19, 2009
Icy blasts make for impressive facts and figures
4:00AM Wednesday June 17, 2009
11:01AM Monday June 15, 2009
Predicting weather not an exact science
4:00AM Friday June 12, 2009
Wet and warm weather this week for everyone
9:52AM Wednesday June 10, 2009
9:24AM Monday June 8, 2009
7:05AM Thursday June 4, 2009
High in Tasman responsible for cold blast
10:00AM Tuesday June 2, 2009
May 2009
Dramatic weather for long weekend
4:00AM Friday May 29, 2009
Better news for Queen's Birthday holiday makers
9:43AM Wednesday May 27, 2009
7:31AM Monday May 25, 2009
Weather Watch: What about Autumn?
5:00AM Thursday May 21, 2009
7:20AM Wednesday May 20, 2009
'Antarctic southerly' due this week
9:55AM Monday May 18, 2009
Remote islands from another planet
8:53AM Friday May 15, 2009
Weather a rare experience for many
4:00AM Tuesday May 12, 2009
Large depression swamps entire nation
12:09PM Monday May 11, 2009
NZ in for wintry, stormy, weekend and week ahead
7:33AM Friday May 8, 2009
Huge storm bringing severe gales and big seas
6:48AM Wednesday May 6, 2009
Weather turns into a typical Autumn pattern
11:32AM Monday May 4, 2009
Cold southerly creeping up the country
8:17AM Friday May 1, 2009
April 2009
Temperature drop begins in Southland
9:38AM Wednesday April 29, 2009
Large low to affect weather for entire week
8:06AM Monday April 27, 2009
Heavy rain for some during weekend
7:48AM Friday April 24, 2009
Two options for Anzac Day weather
7:03AM Wednesday April 22, 2009
Lows dominate weather in North Island
10:12AM Monday April 20, 2009
Highs for most centres during weekend
7:35AM Friday April 17, 2009
4:00AM Wednesday April 15, 2009
8:51AM Tuesday April 14, 2009
Southerly blast makes its way through North Island
8:42AM Thursday April 9, 2009
Settled weather for long weekend
11:15AM Wednesday April 8, 2009
Will 3 trillion trees solve global warming?
6:00AM Monday April 6, 2009
7:45AM Friday April 3, 2009
March 2009
Fantastic weather, thirsty gardens
4:00AM Monday March 30, 2009
7:16AM Friday March 27, 2009
Climate change: Natural cycle or man-made phenomenon?
9:04AM Wednesday March 25, 2009
Anticyclone dominates Tasman Sea
9:12AM Monday March 23, 2009
Southerly blasts in the South first
7:53AM Friday March 20, 2009
8:15AM Thursday March 19, 2009
12:56AM Tuesday March 17, 2009
Extreme weather over last few days
8:10AM Friday March 13, 2009
9:32AM Wednesday March 11, 2009
What next in weather coverage, Jim Hickey on a horse?
12:14PM Monday March 9, 2009
4:00AM Friday March 6, 2009
Northern NZ set for another soaking
10:41AM Wednesday March 4, 2009
The puzzling science of weather forecasts
4:00AM Monday March 2, 2009
February 2009
Summer's going out on a low ... literally
4:00AM Friday February 27, 2009
Storms signal the end of summer
1:44PM Wednesday February 25, 2009
8:11AM Monday February 23, 2009
Wet weather for most of the country
12:34PM Friday February 20, 2009
Weekend weather dicey as cyclone heads our way
7:41AM Wednesday February 18, 2009
Weather still unsettled this week
1:34PM Monday February 16, 2009
Records fall in scorching week
10:11AM Friday February 13, 2009
Weather conditions to remain the same
10:15AM Wednesday February 11, 2009
Expect a bit of rain this weekend
9:10AM Monday February 9, 2009
7:10AM Sunday February 8, 2009
Forecast remains high for Waitangi weekend
9:41AM Thursday February 5, 2009
8:24AM Tuesday February 3, 2009
Sunday another hot one but not so good for Waitangi Day
1:04PM Sunday February 1, 2009
January 2009
Weather Watch: High temperatures coming
8:12AM Friday January 30, 2009
Short, cool breather after hot weekend
10:54AM Tuesday January 27, 2009
Weather Watch: Hot days, cool nights
1:56PM Saturday January 24, 2009
Weather Watch: The heat's roaring back
4:00AM Friday January 23, 2009
Weather Watch: Is it Autumn already?
4:00AM Wednesday January 21, 2009
Don't expect a repeat of the crazy weather
4:00AM Monday January 19, 2009
4:00AM Saturday January 17, 2009
Electrical storm for northern North Island
7:46AM Thursday January 15, 2009
Friday's weather for the Big Day Out
7:45AM Thursday January 15, 2009
Wednesday's weather: The air settles down
8:04AM Wednesday January 14, 2009
12:43PM Tuesday January 13, 2009
Tuesday's weather: Expect wet weather today
7:39AM Tuesday January 13, 2009
Monday's weather: Settled conditions are back
7:52AM Monday January 12, 2009
Hot weather takes the weekend off
12:31PM Saturday January 10, 2009
Friday's weather: Phew, what a scorcher!
7:54AM Friday January 9, 2009
Thursday's weather: Another scorcher today
8:42AM Thursday January 8, 2009
Wednesdays weather: Warm weather set to continue
7:49AM Wednesday January 7, 2009
Tuesday's weather: Summer turns up the heat
7:48AM Tuesday January 6, 2009
Monday's weather: Not much going on out there
10:15AM Monday January 5, 2009
What to watch out for weatherwise - Saturday
8:14AM Saturday January 3, 2009
More unsettled weather on the way
8:26AM Friday January 2, 2009
What to look out for Weatherwise - New Year's Day
4:00AM Thursday January 1, 2009
December 2008
What to look out for Weatherwise - New Year's Eve
8:20AM Wednesday December 31, 2008
What to watch out for weatherwise - Tuesday
8:44AM Tuesday December 30, 2008
What To Watch Out For Weatherwise - Monday
8:36AM Monday December 29, 2008
Showers in the north, otherwise fine
7:57AM Saturday December 27, 2008
8:10AM Friday December 26, 2008
Smooth ride for Santa on Christmas Day
8:32AM Wednesday December 24, 2008
10:44AM Monday December 22, 2008
Unsettled weather continues this weekend
8:02AM Friday December 19, 2008
Weather forecast leading up to Christmas Day
10:52AM Wednesday December 17, 2008
Large low moves across Tasman bringing wind, rain and thunderstorms
10:06AM Monday December 15, 2008
Rain bearing fronts appearing around NZ - some comfort for farmers
11:57AM Friday December 12, 2008
Even parched eastern areas should get some rain this week
10:14AM Monday December 8, 2008
Holiday weather looking good for summer
10:07AM Friday December 5, 2008
A white Christmas in New Zealand? Unlikely
9:43AM Wednesday December 3, 2008
Summer kicks off with a scorcher weekend
7:43AM Monday December 1, 2008
November 2008
Weather forecast for the last weekend of spring
10:51AM Friday November 28, 2008
Farmers across eastern New Zealand preparing for the worst
12:27PM Wednesday November 26, 2008
Last week of spring will be a stormy one
9:54AM Monday November 24, 2008
Spring storm is developing out in the Tasman Sea
10:13AM Friday November 21, 2008
Changeable, cool conditions and a surprise hailstorm
9:33AM Wednesday November 19, 2008
Cooler south west change moving up the country on Monday
9:26AM Monday November 17, 2008
This weekend looks set to be a scorcher, especially Saturday
9:22AM Friday November 14, 2008
Summer just around the corner - and it could be a hot one
8:16AM Wednesday November 12, 2008
A mainly dry week with chilly temperatures at night
8:17AM Monday November 10, 2008
What the weather has in store on election day
7:49AM Friday November 7, 2008
How the weather can affect an election
8:18AM Wednesday November 5, 2008
Guy Fawkes night could be a windy one
8:30AM Monday November 3, 2008
October 2008
Did MetService get it wrong over Labour Weekend?
9:53AM Thursday October 30, 2008
Pesky wind still has some blow in it
1:51PM Tuesday October 28, 2008
Labour Weekend: time for gardening and dodging rain
10:33AM Friday October 24, 2008
Cold southerlies on the way for the weekend
10:24AM Wednesday October 22, 2008
Labour Weekend long range forecast
8:44AM Monday October 20, 2008
10:11AM Friday October 17, 2008
An open letter to whichever party wins this year's general election
3:14PM Tuesday October 14, 2008
A tamer spring week is on the way
11:27AM Monday October 13, 2008
Blustery conditions set to improve for the weekend
8:13AM Friday October 10, 2008
Strong westerly winds cover the entire country until Friday
10:03AM Wednesday October 8, 2008
Tuesday and Wednesday will be pretty rough across the North Island
10:35AM Monday October 6, 2008
Big gales forecast across country for the weekend - especially Wellington
11:00AM Friday October 3, 2008
Towns and villages threatened by floods of sand
8:27AM Wednesday October 1, 2008
September 2008
Chilly start heralds arrival of big low
9:37AM Monday September 29, 2008
No repeat of last weekend's settled weather
9:49AM Friday September 26, 2008
Wind-storm an indicator of what is coming our way
10:52AM Wednesday September 24, 2008
Strong westerly wind kicks into gear across country
8:53AM Monday September 22, 2008
Warmer weather forecast for the weekend
1:27PM Friday September 19, 2008
Highs and lows battle it out over the Tasman
8:27AM Wednesday September 17, 2008
A great weekend but settled weather not here yet
8:47AM Monday September 15, 2008
Weekend brings light winds and plenty of sunshine for most
8:58AM Friday September 12, 2008
Four seasons in a couple of days
9:35AM Wednesday September 10, 2008
All eyes on the path of Hurricane Ike
8:09AM Monday September 8, 2008
Predicted weekend rain may not be so bad
8:01AM Friday September 5, 2008
Where do hurricanes get their names from?
2:36PM Wednesday September 3, 2008
8:54AM Monday September 1, 2008
August 2008
Great weekend weather predicted across NZ
9:23AM Friday August 29, 2008
What do birds do when there's a huge storm?
10:32AM Wednesday August 27, 2008
Promising high pressure system approaches NZ
9:43AM Monday August 25, 2008
Rain for places that don't need anymore
9:09AM Friday August 22, 2008
Is talking about future storms at risk of 'crying wolf'?
8:59AM Wednesday August 20, 2008
Cold Antarctic air being dumped on New Zealand
10:10AM Monday August 18, 2008
Big storm takes aim on west coast
9:17AM Friday August 15, 2008
Don't shoot the messenger - more rain is on the way
8:45AM Wednesday August 13, 2008
The difficulties of predicting snowfalls in NZ
9:23AM Monday August 11, 2008
9:19AM Friday August 8, 2008
Two prong attack of low pressure systems
9:00AM Wednesday August 6, 2008
Tasman Sea now a breeding ground for low pressure
8:57AM Monday August 4, 2008
More rain for the weekend - including the big game
10:59AM Friday August 1, 2008
July 2008
7:57AM Wednesday July 30, 2008
Auckland was lucky in fierce storm
9:38AM Monday July 28, 2008
Major storm heading for Auckland, expected early Saturday
10:14AM Friday July 25, 2008
Storm to hit hard at Kapiti Coast and Southern Taranaki
9:50AM Wednesday July 23, 2008
North Island records 25,000 lightning strikes
9:09AM Monday July 21, 2008
A warmer, wetter weekend ahead
9:09AM Friday July 18, 2008
A clear forecast? It depends on how you say it
8:37AM Wednesday July 16, 2008
Spring is on its way - already
8:04AM Monday July 14, 2008
Whither the weather forecaster?
3:57PM Tuesday July 8, 2008
Prepare for some very chillly mornings this week
9:56AM Monday July 7, 2008
Snow, sleet and hail for the weekend
11:07AM Friday July 4, 2008
Should NZ have just one national forecaster?
9:20AM Wednesday July 2, 2008
June 2008
Snow flurries expected by end of the week
12:22PM Monday June 30, 2008
More wild weather for the weekend
2:38PM Thursday June 26, 2008
8:24AM Wednesday June 25, 2008
8:54AM Monday June 23, 2008
Antarctic depression ready to pounce
12:14PM Friday June 20, 2008
Why is Winter proving to be so warm?
8:14AM Wednesday June 18, 2008
10:11AM Monday June 16, 2008
How to combat a SAD state of affairs
10:14AM Friday June 13, 2008
Cloud seeding: Can humans really make it rain?
10:03AM Wednesday June 11, 2008
The fine art of weather forecasting
3:59PM Monday June 9, 2008
Don't be fooled by an Indian summer
5:00AM Friday June 6, 2008
Widespread frosts across the country
10:42AM Thursday June 5, 2008
June brings two significant weather events
2:16PM Sunday June 1, 2008
May 2008
Queen's Birthday weather and travel forecast
9:48AM Friday May 30, 2008
What will the weather be for the long weekend?
10:42AM Thursday May 29, 2008