Where Are The Westerly Winds Of Spring?

21-Sep-2007

Where Are The Westerly Winds Of Spring?

The spring equinox occurs on Sunday 23 September. So far, September has not been all that windy.

"We have had a few bursts of easterly wind, such as on Thursday when gusts were recorded reaching 118 km/hr at Mokohinau Island in the northern Hauraki Gulf," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "However our wind readings this month around most of New Zealand have indeed been below normal."

Mr. McDavitt attributes the lack of wind to an abundance of high pressure systems over and around New Zealand. "The typical spring westerly winds of the roaring forties have been nudged southwards, and this is consistent with an observed trend towards a La Nina pattern forming in the tropical Pacific. If this trend continues then we are likely to see more bursts of easterly wind in the next few months."

Over the weekend the high pressure systems are expected to be replaced by low pressures and fronts. These fronts are forecast to bring colder south and southeast winds to southern districts with some snow on the southern hills and ranges.

"Many people use the equinox as their marker for the start of spring, and this year we will see a slight swing back to wintry weather to mark the occasion," commented Mr. McDavitt.

ENDS

© Scoop Media