J07

Yesterday in Milford Sound, temperature was 22C, dewpoints -11C. Relative humidity of 10%. The wind at the surface was coming from the northwest.

It will be very cold up there in November (4200m), but most likely to be dry (November is pretty much their driest month I think). I wouldn't go OTT on the waterproofs although it's a good bet to take some. Walking in the sun will be pleasantly warm during the way but the mornings and evenings will be very cold. Wear layers, preferably silk or merino. You won't find any accurate specific forecasts for ABC, it's tiny after all. It's sheltered from all directions apart from the south (where the river valley flows), so you might get cloud streaming up the valley during the way although it's more a feature in the warmer months.

Depends on where you are. Plenty of places have had a good Spring, Christchurch being notable with a long week + period of temperatures reaching 20C. Wellington had a very wet September but still above normal sunshine. There's also been warm temperatures recorded already, but no repeat of the very early 30C of last year. I've seen cold polar outbreaks streaming into the north Pacific tropics last winter but I don't know about the 850 temperatures there. The SH lacks severe cold but cold snaps can occur for much of the year and push a fair way north. I think the westerlies are a bit further equatorward in this hemisphere than in the NH. Cold fronts can reach Fiji (around 18S) in the winter month, though they have lost their temperature gradient by then and just dry out the air. Sept summary: http://www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/climate/publications/all/cs/monthly/climate-summary-for-september-2010 Wet and wild westerlies Rainfall: Double normal rainfall in the southwest of North Island, the north and northwest of South Island, and around Invercargill. Many September rainfall records broken in these areas. Very wet in most other regions, but dry in south Canterbury and coastal Gisborne.Temperatures: Above average in the north and east of the North Island, and the eastern South Island. Well below average in the west and south of the South Island.Sunshine: Well below normal sunshine hours in western areas of both islands.September 2010 was characterised by extremely low pressures over New Zealand, bringing wild westerly winds. The effect of the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September was very clear – rainfall was record high or well above average, and sunshine hours were well below average, in western areas of both islands. It was also much cooler than usual in the west and south of the South Island, but warmer than average in eastern areas; both are trademarks of enhanced westerly circulation. September rainfall was more than double normal (at least 200 percent) in the southwest of the North Island, from Turangi to Taranaki to the Kapiti Coast, as well as the north and northwest of the South Island – including Nelson, Blenheim and Buller – and around Invercargill. Many locations in these areas experienced their wettest September on record. Most other regions around the country also received above normal rainfall (between 120 and 150 percent of normal). The only exceptions were eastern Northland and coastal north Canterbury (which experienced near normal rainfall), and Gisborne and south Canterbury (which received less than 50 percent of usual September falls). Extremely warm temperatures affected the country at both the start and end of the month – but an intense southwesterly event from the 17th until 24th brought snow to very low levels in the far south, and record low temperatures there. Overall, monthly mean temperatures were above average (between 0.5°C and 1.2°C above average) in eastern regions of both islands, as well as from Taranaki down to Wellington. In contrast, much of the west and south of the South Island experienced below average temperatures (1.2°C to 0.5°C below average). The New Zealand national average temperature was 10.9°C (0.5°C above the 1971–2000 September average). Well below average sunshine totals (less than 75 percent of normal) were recorded in western areas of both islands, due to the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September. In contrast, above normal sunshine hours were received in south Canterbury (between 110 and 125 percent of normal). In most other regions, September sunshine totals were closer to normal (ranging between 90 and 110 percent of normal). Further Highlights: The highest temperature was 24.6°C, recorded at Kaikoura on the 6th (near record).The lowest temperature was -6.2°C, recorded at Lake Tekapo on the 22nd.The highest 1-day rainfall was 135.0 mm recorded at Milford Sound on the 5th.The highest wind gust was 204 km/hr, recorded at Cape Turnagain on the 23rd.Of the six main centres, Tauranga was the warmest, Dunedin the coolest, Christchurch the sunniest and driest, and Wellington the wettest. Sept summary: http://www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/climate/publications/all/cs/monthly/climate-summary-for-september-2010 Wet and wild westerlies Rainfall: Double normal rainfall in the southwest of North Island, the north and northwest of South Island, and around Invercargill. Many September rainfall records broken in these areas. Very wet in most other regions, but dry in south Canterbury and coastal Gisborne.Temperatures: Above average in the north and east of the North Island, and the eastern South Island. Well below average in the west and south of the South Island.Sunshine: Well below normal sunshine hours in western areas of both islands.September 2010 was characterised by extremely low pressures over New Zealand, bringing wild westerly winds. The effect of the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September was very clear – rainfall was record high or well above average, and sunshine hours were well below average, in western areas of both islands. It was also much cooler than usual in the west and south of the South Island, but warmer than average in eastern areas; both are trademarks of enhanced westerly circulation. September rainfall was more than double normal (at least 200 percent) in the southwest of the North Island, from Turangi to Taranaki to the Kapiti Coast, as well as the north and northwest of the South Island – including Nelson, Blenheim and Buller – and around Invercargill. Many locations in these areas experienced their wettest September on record. Most other regions around the country also received above normal rainfall (between 120 and 150 percent of normal). The only exceptions were eastern Northland and coastal north Canterbury (which experienced near normal rainfall), and Gisborne and south Canterbury (which received less than 50 percent of usual September falls). Extremely warm temperatures affected the country at both the start and end of the month – but an intense southwesterly event from the 17th until 24th brought snow to very low levels in the far south, and record low temperatures there. Overall, monthly mean temperatures were above average (between 0.5°C and 1.2°C above average) in eastern regions of both islands, as well as from Taranaki down to Wellington. In contrast, much of the west and south of the South Island experienced below average temperatures (1.2°C to 0.5°C below average). The New Zealand national average temperature was 10.9°C (0.5°C above the 1971–2000 September average). Well below average sunshine totals (less than 75 percent of normal) were recorded in western areas of both islands, due to the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September. In contrast, above normal sunshine hours were received in south Canterbury (between 110 and 125 percent of normal). In most other regions, September sunshine totals were closer to normal (ranging between 90 and 110 percent of normal). Further Highlights: The highest temperature was 24.6°C, recorded at Kaikoura on the 6th (near record).The lowest temperature was -6.2°C, recorded at Lake Tekapo on the 22nd.The highest 1-day rainfall was 135.0 mm recorded at Milford Sound on the 5th.The highest wind gust was 204 km/hr, recorded at Cape Turnagain on the 23rd.Of the six main centres, Tauranga was the warmest, Dunedin the coolest, Christchurch the sunniest and driest, and Wellington the wettest. Sept summary: http://www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/climate/publications/all/cs/monthly/climate-summary-for-september-2010 Wet and wild westerlies Rainfall: Double normal rainfall in the southwest of North Island, the north and northwest of South Island, and around Invercargill. Many September rainfall records broken in these areas. Very wet in most other regions, but dry in south Canterbury and coastal Gisborne.Temperatures: Above average in the north and east of the North Island, and the eastern South Island. Well below average in the west and south of the South Island.Sunshine: Well below normal sunshine hours in western areas of both islands.September 2010 was characterised by extremely low pressures over New Zealand, bringing wild westerly winds. The effect of the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September was very clear – rainfall was record high or well above average, and sunshine hours were well below average, in western areas of both islands. It was also much cooler than usual in the west and south of the South Island, but warmer than average in eastern areas; both are trademarks of enhanced westerly circulation. September rainfall was more than double normal (at least 200 percent) in the southwest of the North Island, from Turangi to Taranaki to the Kapiti Coast, as well as the north and northwest of the South Island – including Nelson, Blenheim and Buller – and around Invercargill. Many locations in these areas experienced their wettest September on record. Most other regions around the country also received above normal rainfall (between 120 and 150 percent of normal). The only exceptions were eastern Northland and coastal north Canterbury (which experienced near normal rainfall), and Gisborne and south Canterbury (which received less than 50 percent of usual September falls). Extremely warm temperatures affected the country at both the start and end of the month – but an intense southwesterly event from the 17th until 24th brought snow to very low levels in the far south, and record low temperatures there. Overall, monthly mean temperatures were above average (between 0.5°C and 1.2°C above average) in eastern regions of both islands, as well as from Taranaki down to Wellington. In contrast, much of the west and south of the South Island experienced below average temperatures (1.2°C to 0.5°C below average). The New Zealand national average temperature was 10.9°C (0.5°C above the 1971–2000 September average). Well below average sunshine totals (less than 75 percent of normal) were recorded in western areas of both islands, due to the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September. In contrast, above normal sunshine hours were received in south Canterbury (between 110 and 125 percent of normal). In most other regions, September sunshine totals were closer to normal (ranging between 90 and 110 percent of normal). Further Highlights: The highest temperature was 24.6°C, recorded at Kaikoura on the 6th (near record).The lowest temperature was -6.2°C, recorded at Lake Tekapo on the 22nd.The highest 1-day rainfall was 135.0 mm recorded at Milford Sound on the 5th.The highest wind gust was 204 km/hr, recorded at Cape Turnagain on the 23rd.Of the six main centres, Tauranga was the warmest, Dunedin the coolest, Christchurch the sunniest and driest, and Wellington the wettest. Sept summary: http://www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/climate/publications/all/cs/monthly/climate-summary-for-september-2010 Wet and wild westerlies Rainfall: Double normal rainfall in the southwest of North Island, the north and northwest of South Island, and around Invercargill. Many September rainfall records broken in these areas. Very wet in most other regions, but dry in south Canterbury and coastal Gisborne.Temperatures: Above average in the north and east of the North Island, and the eastern South Island. Well below average in the west and south of the South Island.Sunshine: Well below normal sunshine hours in western areas of both islands.September 2010 was characterised by extremely low pressures over New Zealand, bringing wild westerly winds. The effect of the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September was very clear – rainfall was record high or well above average, and sunshine hours were well below average, in western areas of both islands. It was also much cooler than usual in the west and south of the South Island, but warmer than average in eastern areas; both are trademarks of enhanced westerly circulation. September rainfall was more than double normal (at least 200 percent) in the southwest of the North Island, from Turangi to Taranaki to the Kapiti Coast, as well as the north and northwest of the South Island – including Nelson, Blenheim and Buller – and around Invercargill. Many locations in these areas experienced their wettest September on record. Most other regions around the country also received above normal rainfall (between 120 and 150 percent of normal). The only exceptions were eastern Northland and coastal north Canterbury (which experienced near normal rainfall), and Gisborne and south Canterbury (which received less than 50 percent of usual September falls). Extremely warm temperatures affected the country at both the start and end of the month – but an intense southwesterly event from the 17th until 24th brought snow to very low levels in the far south, and record low temperatures there. Overall, monthly mean temperatures were above average (between 0.5°C and 1.2°C above average) in eastern regions of both islands, as well as from Taranaki down to Wellington. In contrast, much of the west and south of the South Island experienced below average temperatures (1.2°C to 0.5°C below average). The New Zealand national average temperature was 10.9°C (0.5°C above the 1971–2000 September average). Well below average sunshine totals (less than 75 percent of normal) were recorded in western areas of both islands, due to the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September. In contrast, above normal sunshine hours were received in south Canterbury (between 110 and 125 percent of normal). In most other regions, September sunshine totals were closer to normal (ranging between 90 and 110 percent of normal). Further Highlights: The highest temperature was 24.6°C, recorded at Kaikoura on the 6th (near record).The lowest temperature was -6.2°C, recorded at Lake Tekapo on the 22nd.The highest 1-day rainfall was 135.0 mm recorded at Milford Sound on the 5th.The highest wind gust was 204 km/hr, recorded at Cape Turnagain on the 23rd.Of the six main centres, Tauranga was the warmest, Dunedin the coolest, Christchurch the sunniest and driest, and Wellington the wettest. Sept summary: http://www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/climate/publications/all/cs/monthly/climate-summary-for-september-2010 Wet and wild westerlies Rainfall: Double normal rainfall in the southwest of North Island, the north and northwest of South Island, and around Invercargill. Many September rainfall records broken in these areas. Very wet in most other regions, but dry in south Canterbury and coastal Gisborne.Temperatures: Above average in the north and east of the North Island, and the eastern South Island. Well below average in the west and south of the South Island.Sunshine: Well below normal sunshine hours in western areas of both islands.September 2010 was characterised by extremely low pressures over New Zealand, bringing wild westerly winds. The effect of the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September was very clear – rainfall was record high or well above average, and sunshine hours were well below average, in western areas of both islands. It was also much cooler than usual in the west and south of the South Island, but warmer than average in eastern areas; both are trademarks of enhanced westerly circulation. September rainfall was more than double normal (at least 200 percent) in the southwest of the North Island, from Turangi to Taranaki to the Kapiti Coast, as well as the north and northwest of the South Island – including Nelson, Blenheim and Buller – and around Invercargill. Many locations in these areas experienced their wettest September on record. Most other regions around the country also received above normal rainfall (between 120 and 150 percent of normal). The only exceptions were eastern Northland and coastal north Canterbury (which experienced near normal rainfall), and Gisborne and south Canterbury (which received less than 50 percent of usual September falls). Extremely warm temperatures affected the country at both the start and end of the month – but an intense southwesterly event from the 17th until 24th brought snow to very low levels in the far south, and record low temperatures there. Overall, monthly mean temperatures were above average (between 0.5°C and 1.2°C above average) in eastern regions of both islands, as well as from Taranaki down to Wellington. In contrast, much of the west and south of the South Island experienced below average temperatures (1.2°C to 0.5°C below average). The New Zealand national average temperature was 10.9°C (0.5°C above the 1971–2000 September average). Well below average sunshine totals (less than 75 percent of normal) were recorded in western areas of both islands, due to the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September. In contrast, above normal sunshine hours were received in south Canterbury (between 110 and 125 percent of normal). In most other regions, September sunshine totals were closer to normal (ranging between 90 and 110 percent of normal). Further Highlights: The highest temperature was 24.6°C, recorded at Kaikoura on the 6th (near record).The lowest temperature was -6.2°C, recorded at Lake Tekapo on the 22nd.The highest 1-day rainfall was 135.0 mm recorded at Milford Sound on the 5th.The highest wind gust was 204 km/hr, recorded at Cape Turnagain on the 23rd.Of the six main centres, Tauranga was the warmest, Dunedin the coolest, Christchurch the sunniest and driest, and Wellington the wettest. Sept summary: http://www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/climate/publications/all/cs/monthly/climate-summary-for-september-2010 Wet and wild westerlies Rainfall: Double normal rainfall in the southwest of North Island, the north and northwest of South Island, and around Invercargill. Many September rainfall records broken in these areas. Very wet in most other regions, but dry in south Canterbury and coastal Gisborne.Temperatures: Above average in the north and east of the North Island, and the eastern South Island. Well below average in the west and south of the South Island.Sunshine: Well below normal sunshine hours in western areas of both islands.September 2010 was characterised by extremely low pressures over New Zealand, bringing wild westerly winds. The effect of the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September was very clear – rainfall was record high or well above average, and sunshine hours were well below average, in western areas of both islands. It was also much cooler than usual in the west and south of the South Island, but warmer than average in eastern areas; both are trademarks of enhanced westerly circulation. September rainfall was more than double normal (at least 200 percent) in the southwest of the North Island, from Turangi to Taranaki to the Kapiti Coast, as well as the north and northwest of the South Island – including Nelson, Blenheim and Buller – and around Invercargill. Many locations in these areas experienced their wettest September on record. Most other regions around the country also received above normal rainfall (between 120 and 150 percent of normal). The only exceptions were eastern Northland and coastal north Canterbury (which experienced near normal rainfall), and Gisborne and south Canterbury (which received less than 50 percent of usual September falls). Extremely warm temperatures affected the country at both the start and end of the month – but an intense southwesterly event from the 17th until 24th brought snow to very low levels in the far south, and record low temperatures there. Overall, monthly mean temperatures were above average (between 0.5°C and 1.2°C above average) in eastern regions of both islands, as well as from Taranaki down to Wellington. In contrast, much of the west and south of the South Island experienced below average temperatures (1.2°C to 0.5°C below average). The New Zealand national average temperature was 10.9°C (0.5°C above the 1971–2000 September average). Well below average sunshine totals (less than 75 percent of normal) were recorded in western areas of both islands, due to the stronger-than-normal westerly winds during September. In contrast, above normal sunshine hours were received in south Canterbury (between 110 and 125 percent of normal). In most other regions, September sunshine totals were closer to normal (ranging between 90 and 110 percent of normal). Further Highlights: The highest temperature was 24.6°C, recorded at Kaikoura on the 6th (near record).The lowest temperature was -6.2°C, recorded at Lake Tekapo on the 22nd.The highest 1-day rainfall was 135.0 mm recorded at Milford Sound on the 5th.The highest wind gust was 204 km/hr, recorded at Cape Turnagain on the 23rd.Of the six main centres, Tauranga was the warmest, Dunedin the coolest, Christchurch the sunniest and driest, and Wellington the wettest.

Apparently, aftershock number 1856 of the Canterbury Quake had its centre directly under someones farm yesterday. It was the 9th biggest aftershock at 5.0, 13km deep but the damage to their home was minimal. Further investigations on the fault: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4230460/Canterbury-earthquake-trigger-identified

Yes it deepened very quickly also. During our latest cold outbreak, Milford Sound, one of the wettest places in the world outside the tropics (7000mm of rain a year) recorded a temperature of 19.5C with a dewpoint of -11.4C, giving an RH of 11%! It was because the typical northwesterlies were replaced by a southeasterly flow. Shortly afterwards they got their "fiord breeze" and the dewpoint jumped by 20C in an hour (temperature dropping by 4C).

Been very cold and windy today across the country. Snow to 400m in the south of the North Island and 200m in the South Island. Even Auckland has been hit pretty hard with a mere 8C there at midday! In October that is really cold.

Nick gave some reasons, but I think the a main issue is latitude. Regarding the above posts, some of the assumptions are incorrect. 1) Air going around a high will move faster than air going around a low. This sounds counter-intuitive because we associate lows with strong winds. But, when isobars are curved anticyclonically the wind is super-geostrophic whilst curving cyclonically is sub-geostrophic. Essentially that means that compared with straight isobars of the same spacing, and assuming the geostrophic balance holds, super-geostrophic is stronger than straight isobar wind, and sub-geostrophic is weaker than straight isobar wind. 2) Isobars of the same tightness don't produce the same wind speed. Latitude is one factor, and I think it's the main one here. It's another counter-intuitive effect, I suppose. We tend to link high latitudes with high winds. But actually the high latitudes are somewhat crippled by the mathematics of the atmosphere. For a given isobar spacing (assuming the isobars are straight), the wind at 75N will be weaker than at 55N which will be weaker than at 35N...and so on. When you get into the deep tropics (say between 15-20 degrees of latitude) it gets more complicated because geostrophy is not such a good approximation. However, it is not a linear relationship. The critical part of the relationship is the sine of latitude (in degrees). On older weather charts you will see something in the corner that gives a correction of wind speed for latitude. There's a good explanation of all this stuff here: http://vaac.metservice.com/default/index.php?alias=howtoreadmaps234396 Quote: "on a weather map with isobars 4 hectoPascals apart, a spacing of about two degrees latitude (with straight isobars) means fresh winds about Auckland but a gale over Fiji. " He also gives a more easily understandable explanation of sub/super geostrophy: Because of the 'spin-out' effect when turning corners, the wind speed can be: Up to 20% higher than the isobar spacing would suggest as the air turns around (and out of) a HighAs much as 20-40% lighter than the isobar spacing would suggest as the air turns around (and into) a Low. Note that the difference in wind speed between Auckland and Fiji (about 20 degrees of latitude) would actually be greater than the roughly 20 degrees of latitude between Greenland and Ireland. This is because the relationship is non-linear. However, I still think it may be sufficient to explain much of the difference you are seeing. This page has a written example, though he's dealing with winds at 500hPa the idea holds: http://bangladeshtornadoes.org/geostropapx.html For Winnipeg, Manitoba (50N): Ug = -13.4/(-.766)= 17.5m/s = 34kts For Minneapolis, MN(45N): Ug= -13.4/(-.707)= 19m/s = 36.8kts For Amarillo, TX (35N): Ug = -13.4/(-.573)=23.4m/s = 45.4kts For Dhaka, Bangladesh(23.8N): Ug = -13.4/(-.403)=33.25m/s = 64.6kts You can see from this the major corrections for latitude between a borderline tropical location and a mid/high latitude location, using the same geostrophic wind for each location. Also note the non-linear relationship. The jump between 35N and 24N is massive compared with the jump from 45N to 35N. There's so many factors that affect wind speed. We have to consider all sorts of issues, and also the weaknesses of the geostrophic approximation, as well as whether the isobars curve cyclonically or anticyclonically, and thermal effects (notably the katabatic). Another issue is the isallobaric effect. When a low deepens rapidly, there is an additional component of the wind to want to blow in the direction of the increasing pressure gradient due to deepening of the low. Finally, even though the latitude is pretty high, Antarctica manages to overcome this. It's the windiest continent on earth. Just always so much going on, when the wind blows.

About half a million lambs died down south during the snow storms this month. But a few days later, warmth fed into the country with northern towns reaching 25C. Once this trough moves through later today we are briefly in a southwest flow, then the following high looks to be almost stationary over the country throughout next week along with a nice upper ridge. October is normally a mobile westerly month (in fact, the most mobile westerly month) so it is quite unusual to see this happen. Perhaps a reflection of strong La Nina conditions.

Very interesting to get that breakdown. Interesting that quality of light is the most important factor. It's pretty poor in Europe but I didn't realise it contributed quite so strongly to UV reduction.

Apparently in the past, Antarctica was subject to more meridional flows, and hence was much warmer in summer than it currently is. In modern times the continent is insulated by rampant westerlies, and likewise surrounding regions are somewhat insulated from Antarctica.

Good point, January 4th is usually the closest the earth gets to the sun, and July 4th the furthest. I don't remember the difference, something like 4%, but it has a notable impact on insolation. Corrected Metar from Christchurch, warm and dry and windy: COR NZCH 260300Z 26019G31KT 220V290 CAVOK 22/M02 Q1004

I think the most interesting thing is the interaction of topography with weather, to a much greater extent than in the UK, and also the speed with which the weather can change. The former is due to convenient and large mountain ranges that run perpendicular to prevailing winds. The latter thanks to the constant action in the southern ocean (it essentially never dies down) and further interaction with topography creating "southerly busters". However, unlike the UK, NZ cannot really access un-modified polar air, which some would say is a shame! The UV index is well described as "shockingly high". Roughly, the sun at Spring equinox is as strong, and often stronger than, the sun at the summer solstice in the UK. The UV index in summer is approximately 40% higher than equivalent latitudes in the northern hemisphere. eg you will see UV index of 10 in the Med at high summer, an equivalent day in NZ would yield 14. In the UK, the record high is 8, which you tend to exceed in NZ on every sunny day from October to March. The UV index in winter is low, ranging from 1-3 across the country depending on conditions. But due to much cleaner air than the northern hemisphere, the scattering regime is altered which tends the light here towards the more energetic blue end of the spectrum, the result is that the sky is a more vivid blue than in the temperate NH, and the sun feels like it's burning you rather than warming you. Much of this, apart from the quality of light, is not to be boasted about. I spent a long time in Europe this northern summer and it's wonderful how around the Med you can enjoy the sun without feeling like it's trying to destroy you. The summer sun in the UK is so weak that it may as well not exist. Yes, but they are cooler and more unsettled down here. Partly due to absence of permanent high pressure systems, the lack of a hot continent on the doorstep, cooler SSTs and a general tendency for westerlies to encroach further equatorward than they do in the NH (though in the southern summer the westerlies are notably reduced and in some summers almost entirely absent from the North Island due to prevailing sub tropical ridging).

Plenty of weather: http://www.stuff.co....hit-country Dump of rain/snow over the Wellington region for about 5 hours this morning, the remainder of the day was perfectly sunny due to southwest orientation of the flow.

Maybe they are right, but I think London has many, many things that it should be concerned over ahead of earthquakes. A 5.5 magnitude quake every 100 years?! Oh, woe, that really is no big deal. I think Londonders should focus on fixing the tube signalling systems rather than even bothering to think about earthquakes. Breakdown of quakes in the few days following the Christchurch one:

It makes me chuckle about how a maximum of 8.5C in Hobart can be their coldest September day for 25 years! How notable would a maximum of 8.5C be anywhere in the UK in March? Ummm.... I know it's different latitudes an' all, but Tasmania is often thought of as a rather cold place.

Yes, it's been a pretty significant event for some places! But the idea that it affected the whole country has been hyped up by the media. Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington, Hawke's Bay and Gisborne have all seen glorious weather. Though it has been windy in Wellington we've had almost ceasless sunshine the last few days (because the wind is so westerly, as opposed to northwest). Whilst it was snowing in Invercargill, it was 18C in parts of Northland and Gisborne. Story on the snow: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4147391/Southland-braced-for-more-snow As for wind, an official AWS on a hill just under 300m recorded sustained winds of 80 knots, with gusts of 105 knots.

Aftershocks probably not finished yet. They still think a risk of a 6 magnitude exists, which would be very troublesome. For an illuminating graphic of quakes over the last few days, have a look here: http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/ Makes me think the UK is very lucky in never having to worry about something like this.

First northwesterly storm, which you would expect a number of during the Spring months. Yesterday there was lots of rain in the west, remaining dry in the east of course with 21C recorded in Kaikoura at midnight. Winds gusted to 140 km/h on the Rimutaka Hill Road (summit 555m), and to 120 km/h at lower levels. Today we are in the last reaches of the storm and a cold southerly/southeasterly is working its way north. The forecast maximum for Dunedin is 10C, and for Christchurch 23C. Right now it's 21C in Christchurch and the change is a little way south with Timaru sitting on 11C (90 miles south). Winds won't have helped the earthquake clean-up in Christchurch, but todays warm weather will probably be of use. However it does look quite chilly and grim from later today and into tomorrow.

Funnily enough I got my Campbell Island claim wrong. Annual sunshine is nearer 600 hours, which is simply appalling. 320 days with precipitation per year. Dreadful.

Probably. Epicentre was 40km west of the city, and it was a shallow quake. Plenty of aftershocks too. The time of day must have helped. If it had been rush hour, doubtless there would have been fatalities.

The Southern Ocean is a pretty grim place with far "worse" weather than equivalent latitudes in the northern hemisphere*. It doesn't help that the world's windiest place (Antarctica) is to its south. But this storm is notable even for such waters! * eg Campbell Island, at the same latitude as London has only 900 hours of sunshine per year (London has about 1500 and is dull by the standards of most world cities). http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1581 Massive 926 mb extratropical storm generating huge waves off Antarctica One of the most intense extratropical storms in recent years is churning up the waters near the coast of Antarctica in the South Indian Ocean. The powerful storm peaked in intensity yesterday afternoon with a central pressure of 926 mb--the type of pressure typically found in a Category 4 hurricane. Storms this intense form on average once per year, or perhaps less often, according to an email I received from Jeff Callaghan of the Australia Bureau of Meteorology. Since extratropical storms do not form eyewalls, the winds at the surface from this monster storm probably reached "only" 100 - 120 mph (equivalent to a Category 2 or 3 hurricane.) The storm is forecast to generate huge waves with a significant wave height of 13 meters (44 feet) today, according to the NOAA Wavewatch III model (Figure 3.) I have flown into an extratropical storm this intense--in 1989, I participated in a field project based in Maine that intercepted a remarkable extratropical storm that "bombed" into a 928 mb low south of the Canadian Maritime provinces. You can read my story of that somewhat harrowing flight here.

None major. Just "our old friend the jet stream" is not really accurate when its not the same system that ever visits the UK.

37C must be pretty close. Try looking for records around the Persian Gulf, my bet would be around there.

Can someone tell me where are the dry parts of the UK? I arrived back a week ago and went through the southeast to London and then across to Wales. Everywhere I saw was pleasantly green. Is it the NE that is dry?