Let's focus on the positive

Weather watchers will be hoping for plenty more days like this (from Boxing Day) as 2010 begins. Photo / Herald on Sunday

What a long year 2009 has been, even if it's zipped by for some of us. I'm utterly over hearing about the economy and I'm hoping that 2010 will be a far more positive year for everyone who's been affected by the economic downturn.

One thing I particularly love about the weather is the fact that recession or not it's still there. It can be a 'safety net' in some sort of ways...an escape from the day to day politics of the world (unless we're talking about Global Warming of course) and a chance to watch with interest as mother nature creates something new. Every week is either different from the last, or, has the potential to be different.

To me looking at future weather maps can give me the same sense of relaxation and escapism that some get from reading a good book.

2009 has been another crazy year of weather and here are some of the events that stood out to me.

Early in January a hot nor'wester kicked in across Canterbury with temperatures reaching 40 degrees and over in parts of Christchurch.

A little later in January and a dramatic electrical storm lit up the east coast of Auckland creating a spectacular sight and prompting people to send in some great photos. Lightning was flashing every few seconds for a few hours creating a silent but dramatic display east of the city.

At the end of February a sub-tropical low formed and spread across the North Island bringing torrential rain and strong winds to a number of areas. Worst hit was Coromandel Peninsula with close to 200mm falling. The rain cancelled the Lionel Richie concert in Hawkes Bay disappointing many who had braved the wet weather waiting for him. Wind damage was also reported across Levin.

The most spectacular weather event for 2009, in my eyes and judging by the hits we had at WeatherWatch.co.nz, would definitely have to be the dramatic hail storm that blanketed Mt Maunganui on May 11 turning the normally surfing paradise into a winter wonderland better suited for skiers. In fact there was a great photo sent in to us of people skiing along the beach behind a 4wd. Not only was that hail storm unbelievably heavy but it also created a dramatic water spout which was captured on camera.

Exactly two months later, on June 11, another sub-tropical storm formed and headed towards northern New Zealand. As far as storm chasers were concerned the low was a complete fizzer for Auckland however winds gusting to 180km/h roared across the Hauraki Gulf and caused damage to homes in Northland, north Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula. At its peak 18,000 people were without power. Auckland escaped this storm, but only just.

Winter and Spring saw some unusual weather with August being the hottest one on record then we quickly dived in to a bitterly cold October - in fact a sudden snow storm trapped hundreds of motorists on the Napier-Taupo highway and State Highway 1 near Waiouru.

We also saw snow flakes falling in places that don't normally see them - Napier, Masterton, the outskirts of Palmerston North and Wellington. There was also a big snow storm in Dunedin that saw snow fall to sea level.

Finally, we recently saw a dramatic hail storm in Canterbury that produced hail the size of golf balls. It was absolutely amazing that so little damage was reported. The storms were well inland and missed most main centres. Thunder in some areas lasted several hours.

So here we are at the year 2010. How's it going to start? Well...very much as 2009 ended...a spring weather pattern that doesn't want to go away and more westerlies than you can shake a stick at.

Happy New Year - I hope the weather is kind to you wherever you are and thank you all so much for your support, comments and contributions this year.