forecaster

Named as TC Vania by RSMC Nadi. GALE WARNING 016 ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI Jan 12/0100 UTC 2011 UTC.TROPICAL CYCLONE VANIA CENTRE 988HPA CATEGORY 1 WAS LOCATED NEAR 19.2SOUTH 169.3 EAST AT 120000 UTC. POSITION FAIR. REPEAT POSITION 19.2S 169.3E AT 120000 UTC.CYCLONE SLOW MOVING BUT EXPECTED TO MOVE SOUTHWEST AT 05 KNOTS.EXPECT SUSTAINED WINDS OF 35 KNOTS CLOSE TO THE CENTRE IN THENORTHWEST QUADRANT AND WITHIN 240 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE IN THESECTORS FROM NORTH THROUGH EAST TO SOUTHWEST. FORECAST POSITION NEAR 19.5S 168.5E AT 121200 UTC AND NEAR 20.1S 167.8E AT 130000 UTC.ALL VESSELS WITHIN 300 NAUTICALS MILES OF THE CENTRE ARE REQUESTED TOSEND REPORTS EVERY THREE HOURS TO RSMC NADI. VOS REPORTING SHIPS USENORMAL CHANNELS. OTHER VESSELS FAX PLUS 679 6720190 OR EMAIL NADITCCAT MET DOT GOV DOT FJ.THIS WARNING CANCELS AND REPLACES WARNING 015.

I work with a forecaster that used to work in Dubai. He has some interesting stories, such as fog at 30C (i.e. temperature of 30C with dewpoints of 30C), and a report from a small island or an oil rig (can't remember which), that was something like 38C with dewpoints of 34C.

I find the media quote specific statements quite well, but it's often embedded in a story which is spun in a way that you may not agree with.

Thanks John. It typically is updated with about 2 new posts a week. Latest is on how highs and lows move, which is certainly relevant outside of NZ.

NZ MetService launched this blog in May. Though the contents are geared towards New Zealand, it's all still meteorology and you may find it of interest. http://blog.metservice.com/ This is a favourite of mine: http://blog.metservice.com/pages/year-12-maths/ Enjoy.