Winter weather returns

It's back to winter this week after the "warm" spell of last week. That northerly flow really did help boost temperatures across the country with Auckland receiving a humidex reading (or 'feels like' temperature) last week of 22 and Whangarei 23. The Far North would've been closer to the mid 20s with the humidex.

But the northerly is going, going, gone... and being replaced by another icy southerly. This system isn't as severe as the one 10 days ago but it will drop those temperatures back down to July levels again. Lowest South Island highs over the next two days will range from 3 (Queenstown) to 7 or 8 (Christchurch). Northern and western parts of the South Island will be more sheltered so highs will be closer to double digits if not 12 or 13.

Wellington will again see a wintry southerly arriving, it should turn up overnight tonight and get even colder by Wednesday. High around 9 on Tuesday, 8 on Wednesday.

The cold air will surge northward reaching Auckland on Wednesday and while not a lot of rain is coming your way it will be noticeably colder...highs may be 6 degrees cooler than last week...that's certainly going to be felt.

We're coming up to the shortest day of the year... and in my mind I always feel like that is the half way mark and now we're on our way to summer! It makes no sense though, as the coldest part of the year is actually in the 6 weeks that follow. I'm always impatient for the next season. I love all our seasons... but for some odd reason I tend to enjoy the thought of them more than actually experiencing them. For example I love the thought of winter...roaring fires, red winds, heavy rain, heavy frosts, comfort food, short days....but once I'm actually in it, I start craving sunny warm weather.

I love the idea of summer too...long sunny days, dry lawn, white wine outside, salads, the sea....and then when Summer is here and it's so hot you can't move all I want is for Autumn to arrive. I once did a leadership course at work...we were given our top 30 character traits ...number 1 is your strongest behaviour and 30th is your weakest/least often used....number 4 for me was "easily bored"...huh, no kidding.

My closest friend, Carla, thinks I'm utterly insane for loving anything but Summer. We often car pool to work and disagreeing on issues is as natural to us as breathing... in fact, when we talk on the phone we usually argue...mainly because she's bulshy and "always right"...and I'm a control freak who wants everyone to agree with me. So it's of no surprise to me that we don't agree on enjoying winter. Her idea of paradise is to head up north and lie on the beach on an island where her family live and read books and drink wine...forever and ever. I love some of that idea too...I've spent my whole life camping at beaches like Hahei and Tauranga Bay...and I understand the pleasures of summer in New Zealand. But to me it gets boring living with the same weather/season all the time. Are you like me or is Carla more reflective of most kiwis? (please note, your comments will cause an argument...even if you agree with us both).

I think it was my Dad who said he thinks Central Otago is one of most beautiful places in New Zealand but he wouldn't want to live there because he'd miss the sound of the rain on the roof. For most places around the country our seasons are changeable...it's one of the reasons I love living here and enjoy living in Auckland...it simply keeps me from being easily bored.

Philip Duncan

 

Pictured above: Snow closed State Highway 2 at Rakauroa north of Gisborne. Photo / Gisborne Herald