Daily Weather Blog Archive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LeMaIz99M4   29 November

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZMl2MFj1rc 19 Sept

Equinox weather   
Just when we've been looking at the moon and it's potential for stormy wintry weather based on perigee, declination and phase, along comes the equinox and associated gales. But you won't hear much about that on the official forecasting websites because they want you to believe that humans are to blame for bad weather and changing climate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxODl1148ek 18 Sept

Unsettled weather should last until next Wednesday  
The rough weather and the Christchurch earthquake are linked, as the moon goes from second closest to earth for the year to fourth furthest away, thus moving faster and creating more turbulence. The disturbance is manifest in land, sea and air. The moon is in Capricorn, one of the rainiest signs, and moving north. The Waikato River is running high but should begin to drop after the weekend.

Passing note. The metservice of NZ appeared to have their noses out of joint because another weather service had put out media reports of this storm system on Wednesday night, quick off the mark before MS had had a chance to issue their bulletins. The result was a most bizarre YouTube denial from MS that the warnings had come from them, as well as, in the same broadcast, a public warning anyway but in their words. It is interesting and refreshing to see that there are several weather organisations in NZ now competing for media space, and a reminder that there should be no professional jealousy. No one organisation owns the weather, nor has the right to assume that they are the official spokespersons. The public will always decide which and who serves them best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSkPEvn5DRA 23 Aug

Spring?  
The Sun crosses into Virgo tomorrow, so this is officially the last day of winter if you go by the zodiac. Clearly though, there's still a lot of winter to come and some places in the South Island are not nearly in spring yet, much as they would wish to be. Chances of more snow this week and there could be some flooding in some places after the full moon on Thursday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guga_d5MwXQ 17 Aug

Jetstreams Part 1 
A two part blog about jetstreams, what they are and how they form. The first blog deals with the two oceans, one being the sea and the other the atmosphere. We walk between them. The moon impacts on each. Higher to surface currents in the sea move faster; it's the same with the air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxLnbCs-RYU  7 Aug

Ireland in August summary
A quick look at Ireland weather for August. Slightly wetter than average over the next few weeks and some get heavy falls at times, but some good sunny spells are also expected. Autumn should be cooler than average especially during October. More in our Ireland August 7-package, in the e-book section  http://www.predictweather.co.nz/ShopProducts.aspx?ID=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcZ1vSBiXSM  4 Aug

NZ in August Part 2
All NI regions above average rain, except Hawkes Bay mostly dry from now on. In SI, Canterbury and S Cant. may have a drier than average month. All other regions may be wetter, especially Auckland, central Plateau, South Island West Coast and Southland. The second and third weeks may bring dry spells for some. Prevailing winds this month: westerly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2mHDr1V3A0  31 Aug

NZ in August
Summary for NZ for August 2010. The wettest month of the year for most, but average to drier for Canterbury because they will be sheltered from the persistent rain-bearing westerlies, by the Alps. Temperatures average to mild in the NI, but minimums are set to drop everywhere in October.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89lm6C1GafY  26 July

Why full moon skies are usually clear
The old saying was that the full moon eats clouds, and it's usually true. This blog explains why you get less clouds being able to form on the full moon night. It is something you can look ahead and plan for quite safely. This month's full moon is called the Thunder Moon, and on the evening the northern hemisphere often gets thunder before the sky clears. And something else to watch out for tonight is the threesome of Venus, Mars and Saturn setting close together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZTglr1vF2s  20 July

With the moon at Scorpio, just one sign away, we're nearly at the southern declination, and that will happen on Thursday. Result? Snow to the South Island and some wintry weather for the North Island over the next two weekends. But the upper part of the North island is set for some milder temperatures for a few weeks. Then it's back into another burst of freezing winter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btkg5y-xisI 17 July

We're halfway through July, and snow is due over the next week, in line with the almanac predictions of early cold for the seaon but later precipitation amounts. August may be the heaviest rain/snow month of the year. September may be a month of unusual cold and wind, which means stock losses unless farmers prepare for it now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGC5qFfNvx0 14 July

The moon is in Leo. Venus is close to and will appear to be alongside the moon on Friday. Venus+moon is typically a wet indication, traditionally called "farmers friend" because of the type of gentle persistent rain that can be expected for a few days. Good fishing until Thursday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXAFSfv2wZo  12 July

New moon today, moon at northern declination, perigee tomorrow, so quite a bit happening. The tidal variation is the biggest for the month around the world this week and that can generate swells and lower air pressure, resulting in unsettled weather, which should click in for NZ around the 16th.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqf2TfQtvmg  8 July

A look at the Queenstown region and snows to come. It's a winter early starting and with late cold extending into September. Next week sees the perigee on 13th, the seventh closest the moon gets to Earth for the year, and some precipitation from that is expected, September is a good month to go skiing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aWuImiPSmg  5 July

This week is aphelion, sun furthest from earth for the year. It brings cooler temperatures, especially to countries experiencing winter. The sun being closer to earth in the first week of January is the reason that the southern hemisphere summer is usually hotter than the northern hemisphere summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A74auo8WHKI  4 July

Good time for fishing until Tuesday, also for diving because of the lower tide heights, good for pruning, spraying roots and sowing saplings that need to develop good root systems if you're a southern hemisphere gardener. Also a good time to harvest if you want food to last a while. Timbermen, a good time to mill wood that is to be used for carpentry, as it should be drier than if cut at other times this month.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrKenringweatherman#p/a/u/0/q8nNHYPT6Bk  2 July

Moon is in Pisces, the sign of fogs, mist and drizzle, a water sign which is why it is represented as a fish symbol, it crosses the equator tomorrow heading north, and also waning and heading towards last quarter moon which will be next Monday. There’s just been a hurricane in Mexico, hurricane Alex, and these hurricanes and cyclones always are triggered by full moons. They form around the equator and if they form north of the equator they move north if the moon is going north. Something may happen as well at the next time the same conditions will be present, and that will be full moon of 26 July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDk140B2-OY   30 June

The moon is in Aquarius and running colder, and especially in the S hemisphere. In this blog with July looming, we have a July summary for NZ, for all States in Australia and for Ireland. Our large-package July reports are also now available online for all 3 countries. For these, all priced at under 10 dollars or less than 6EURO, please go to our e-books page, see below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id9bE_7Vefk   23 June

Waxing gibbous moon phase, the foggy one. A cold spell is arriving because the moon is once again in the south. It should hang around for about two weeks and the first week of July may be the coldest in the year. Meanwhile Ireland is in its last week of the best of summer weather. Our July regional reports are now available from our E-book section.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30h2EZS7Zr0    19 June

The moon is in a windy sign because it has crossed the equator, and this lasts for a few days. The result is to bring choppier seas and increased potential for tornadoes to some parts of the globe. Because the moon is moving south, skies are clouding up and rain systems are developing. Moon driven systems like those from the north are longer lasting than those wind-driven that come from the west and southwest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssnkKDz2bz0    18 June

Some winds are coming, and more turbulent weather, typical of a Virgo moon. A node is coming on Sunday, focussing the moon's energies which may result in possible rain in NZ and odd showers for the NSW / VIC border towns in Australia, which are having a dry June and which won't be seeing much rain until after mid August.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzxfX3Gsba4    15 June

The moon is on the move south, bringing colder air over the northern hemisphere and some unsettled weather. This should clear soon. New moons are more destructive to places enjoying summer, especially at higher latitudes. Also today, a discussion about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Is it anything to worry over longterm?

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrKenringweatherman#p/a/u/0/GLqKrA4GAy4    14 June

It's just past new moon, but the moon is right in the north, bringing some warmth and rain to the southern hemisphere but some cold to the northern hemisphere in the form of showers. It is an earthquake-rich time due to the double factor of new moon+northern declination. Australia can expect a drier than average month, but some strong winds are likely around the 20th. Ireland should fine this week and stay so until the end of the first week in July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsVyRgBA6OU    10 June

Coming up to new moon and northern declination on Saturday. The moon is slowing down and so are the weather systems. Highest tides are early next week. Calm but cold nights are in order, cold because when the moon goes below the horizon it goes WAY below the horizon. Some rain in the second half of next week. Good fishing this weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuKHniBm57s    8 June

The moon is again descending, which means the highest daily point it reaches gets progressively lower in the sky. The northernmost point (lowest) is reached on the 12th. Descending moons carry cooler temperatures. It is also last quarter moon and the phase change brings a change in weather patterns. It is set to usher in a drier spell for much of NZ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6hHMtUUGX8    4 June

The first of a series about what winter conditions to expect in selected regions. In this blog we look at the snow expectations for Ashburton in South Canterbury over June, July and August. Will snow be heavy? When will skies be the clearest? What about wind chill?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4yN_iZbGOU    31 May

Waning gibbous moon in Aquarius is always a cooler sign for us. Because the moon is still in southern declination, the weather goes left to right along latitude lines at the moment. Quck summary of June for NZ; the second week should be the driest for both islands, much rain coming for some including some flooding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWTLdglIIR4    28 May

The ETS is in the news, but no one in government seems prepared to debate the science, despite Climategate and the huge rise in skepticism. Carbon dioxide is not a pollutant, it is colourless, odourless and heavier than air. As such, it can neither warm up nor rise in the air. Amounts are so tiny as to be negligible. Why then the fuss over emissions, for which it seems we are all about to be penalised?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0_9rEUi7fE    27 May

It is full moon tonight, although true full moon is about 11am tomorrow. Some of the effects of the full moon are discussed here, and some of the folklore associated with it. The king tides have brought the flooding, but the waters should start to go down as the heavier rains ease and as the tides get less after the weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ASF7g2cRf0    26 May

Only a few days to go for the southern declination. The recent perigee brought the winds, the cold, the rain and now the snow. It's typical autumn perigee weather. As we go into the declination phase either side of the 29th, weather systems slow down and get a bit more stable, but the southern moon will bring some shivers in the south and frosts in the north.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pYBIRoKJz8  24 May

Summer has begun in Ireland, even though May has not yet delivered warmer temperatures. This is about to change, with June possibly the warmest month, and especially the last week. There will be two weeks of summer followed by another fortnight a month later. In between these fortnights may be heavy rain and flooding about mid June in Ireland and also for the North Is of NZ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwsYD1c2GXc  21 May

The moon is in perigee, when whatever is happening gets exaggerated, according to season. It is also crossing the equator which brings winds. It is also in 1st quarter. That adds up to possible overnight cold and rain for places experiencing winter, and morning fogs elsewhere. The worst of storms is overnight, easing around noon after the moon rises. The earthquake risk lasts another day. More stormy weather in NZ after the weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCiF69b1tAA  20 May

The second of a two-part blog. A quick summary of estimates for Australian States between now and the end of the year. A wet spring and early summer is expected for the southeast of the country. NT may get very little rain except for Alice Springs. September may be quite wet for parts of QLD, and NSW may see good falls in July. VIC and SA have good rains to look forward to. All in all, some good rain prospects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3zx8pUl-4o  18 May

A first of a two-part blog about Australia in months ahead. Firstly month by month, what to expect between now and the end of the year. A drier winter for some but a surprisingly wet spring and summer. There will be exceptions: Darwin may get little or no rain between now and October. Tomorrow we will go State by State.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFJgcn6vLlA  16 May

Northern declination today and the moon starts ascending tomorrow. This northern declination is around 25degN, but the highest in recent times was around 28degN in 2006. The next major declination time will be 2025. It means we are getting progressively cooler. The other factor is the (35-yr) turnaround of the cycle of solar radiation which is also looking like bringing a colder and wetter next couple of decades; good news for Australian farmers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFR7_5Vhcrk  15 May

Some fishing tips, seeing today is such a good fishing day. The ideal time is when the barometer is newly on the move, either rising or preferably falling, and the sky is darkening, the wind may be starting to rustle trees and the thermometer perhaps dropping. Fish around the moon rising or falling and when highest or lowest in the sky. Also, how can you tell that a storm may be on the way?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I3D3-0FXWY  13 May

High and lows dominate weather. You can even see the highs going left to right across the TV weather maps, pulled by the eastward monthly orbit of the moon, moving at the average speed of the moon of 13deg per day. The highs are in charge because they are heavier air masses. The high pressure systems follow the moon when the moon changes hemispheres. The lows slip between. The moon is presently going north, a high over the east of Australia has also been building further northwards and a low over NZ got forced downwards carrying rain down NZ's west coast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdqOuzNy7JU  12 May

We are approaching new moon, and the moon is only visible today for some as it rises between E and NE around 5am. The Ireland summer is due to start around 23 May, and it will not be a washout summer as one newspaper misquoted me as saying. In fact a better summer than 2009 is on the cards, and in 2011 should be even better!  Meanwhile, storm clouds are gathering in NZ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCKmcp55VuM  11 May

Drought update: a quick run down on what the far north can expect in coming days, also Waikato and N Otago. Other forecasters seem to change their minds every 5 minutes, and then after whatever happens say they predicted it. Mostly they have so far all been wrong about this recent rain. Dargaville, as of 11 May, has received just over 1 inch of rain (25mm) thus far. That will change because 100mm is coming, but the heaviest rain days are still about a week away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dlR6EZLFIA  9 May

In Australia, WA gets rain next week, SE goes cold and showery in places, then mostly fine 12-20 except for some rain in SA and VIC. Then rain 22-25. IN NZ, plenty of overnight rain this coming week, from about Wednesday onwards. Queens Birthday weekend will probably be wet and snowy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KirFrTQeajw  30 April

Just after full moon, known as waning gibbous phase. Today the moon doesn't go too far below the horizon after it sets, which means when the airtide doesn't go too far out, leaving much air above the horizon which keeps the sun's heat away, making for cooler days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apNrSpD9lU  29 April

The day of the full moon. Watch out for crazies!  The politicians seem to have joined the crazies with their ETS.  Full moon used to be a compass guide to travellers because at midnight it sits exactly at due north when viewed from anywhere in the southern hemisphere, or due south when viewed from anywhere in the northern hemisphere.  When will it snow in May?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ2vAj23mkI  28 April

We're a day away from full moon, the moon is still coming south and setting before dawn which is the recipe for fog. When it sets it is well below the horizon which increases the effect of the air-tide. There are currently both king tides in the sea and the air. Viewed from the southern hemisphere, the moon is soon at the highest point above our heads. How much rain is still to fall and what's coming up over the next week or so? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYBk_0fDlog  27 April

Still in waxing gibbous, the moon is set to unleash its weather.  Most rain, if about,  falls after the moon has set and before it is due to rise. Today that is between 5am and 4.30pm. The trees are rustling in the tops, and that's often a sign of unsettled weather approaching. Plus, all the night birds are completely silent. (this rain overdue by 3-4 days, see p160 of the almanac). But better late than never for the suffering farmers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOTK1fDZxzM  26 April

Waxing gibbous phase of the moon, which is between first quarter and full moon, brings the most chance of fogs. Fogs do occur at other times as well, but not as often. Tragically, this proved fatal on the morning of the 25th for three NZ Air Force crew in an Iroquois helicopter, which crashed in foggy terrain. It is time the authorities woke up to the moon's role in causing weather conditions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNpVkcVWsD8   1 April

In the north of Australia, Cyclone Paul is now ex-cyclone Paul.  Rain from its remnants is now streaming right across N QLD, as we said it would. The moon has lost its pulling strength as it is now only 3 days from the Southern declination. It's like a swimmer reaching the end of a pool before the turnaround - there's a slowing down at the turn. So maybe a wet start to the holiday, including widespread and sometimes heavy rain expected across the NI then easing back to scattered showers by Saturday and becoming fine by Sunday and Monday as a large anticyclonic systems moves in place. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sul2WwjOjfk   31 March

Full moon is over, tides are running high, fishing is great, good for pruning in the northern hemisphere. Clouds are coming lower as this is not a full moon that is high in the sky. Full moon days can be often rather pale, and skies are typically bluer when the moon is not full, and this blog explains why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AcUAweJsIw   30 March

The story of the full moon, the air tide and what weather the full moon brings. As measured by weather balloons, there is a kingtide in the air at the same time as in the sea. On full moon day in summer it may be extra hot, but extra cold on a winter's full moon day. This blog explains why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSs2CaeLPI0  29 March 2010

Ireland may get some heavy rain dumps in some places over the coming week, and April in Ireland may bring odd snowfalls the last of which may be sometime around the 27th. NZ has some unsettled weather over the start of April for both islands, that's towards the end of the week. And Australia may get some flooding in the Northern Tablelands and Kalgoorlie. Sydney's northern suburbs may get heavy rain around April 13.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOFQIBjMOM0  28 March 2010

Right now it is midautumn in the southern hemisphere and midspring in the northern hemisphere. If you live in Ireland put a ring around 28th/29th May and 25th/26th June, and a week either side, in your calendar. You'll hear why in this blog!
The Northern declination, the moon-in-the-north, was on the 23rd. Perhaps that was why it was the coldest day so far in the month across Canada on the 25th, gustiest day in the month for Ireland, coldest night since the middle of February for the northeastern U.S.  and unseasonably cold over eastern Mongolia, Manchuria, Koreas, and much of Japan. This was no coincidence. The links to these N dec effects in news-articles are here, just to show I'm not making this up!

N dec effects
Mar 25, 2010 6:08 pm US/Central
http://wcco.com/blogs/weatherblog/cold.day.month.2.1590388.html
"So it was our coldest day this month. It felt worse with a persistent wind from the north. In fact many towns near the Canadian border had a wind chill below zero this morning."

March 27
http://www.met.ie/forecasts/
"Fresh to strong, northerly winds will set in as the day goes on, making it feel bitterly cold for the time of year."

Mar 26
http://www.accuweather.com/
"..the coldest night since the middle of February for much of the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada tonight.."

Mar 26
http://www.lbcgroup.tv/lbc/templates/WEATHER.aspx
"unseasonably cold temperatures..over eastern Mongolia, Manchuria, Koreas, and much of Japan."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJCknhX1v7g  27 March 2010

Well, yesterday Egmont got snow, and winter here has almost started. The reason is the perigee #8 which is only a day away on the 28th, and the full moon 3 days away, crossing the equator heading south in 2 days time on the 29th, so it’s all happening. The perigee exaggerates whatever else is going on. This one means the moon is about 11% closer. Rises at 4.45pm, sets 3.45am. The F+P is a cyclone breeder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apLB_omBwhE  26 March 2010

Weatherwise, across the Republic of Ireland I’m expecting the first two weeks of April to be cloudy although mostly dry 4th -6th and a sunny day around the 6th, but then showers around the 9th/10th. In NZ this week we got the rain, some tank-filling rain may be coming around April 12th and 21st, then in the second and third weeks in May. In Australia there is another cyclone just starting to form north of the Top End.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0imRYhgfrhs  24 March 2010

An update on weather events, the reason why the northern declination brings rain, coming events in a week or so, the geographical range of forecasts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzJcBBRZDKs  23 March 2010

Astronomical tidbits: We are not staying still. Half the day we are upside down in our chairs, but we are also tearing through space at speeds of 1 million kph. And how long do you think it would take to journey to the sun in our fastest passenger jet, the Concorde?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTXovDByGRs  22 March 2010

Today's the day of equinox and northern declination and the last day before first quarter moon which is a change of phase. You may read about earthquakes, whale strandings, wind gusts and rain, all typically developing around this time. The weather has been settled in NZ, and the change of phase brings a change of weather patterns. The (equinox) wind will start to come from the north, and wind brings rain. The tides will start to fill up over the next few days, as we approach perigee on 28th, and another cyclone should form around 26th in NE QLD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttbwXhvGfM4    21 March 2010

Northern declination is approaching and will be here on Tuesday. For 3 or 4 days the weather remains what is was at the start of the period, which is around now, and so it's the time of the month the metservices are the most correct.The time they are least correct is when the moon is crossing the equator, heading north or south, because the moon is moving faster then, and bringing new conditions at a faster rate, so the weather is more changeable. N declination brings lower barometric readings, shallow anticyclones, and rising temperatures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yoGzZ-mOOA  20 March 2010

The equinox is coming up on Monday, and two moon events the next day, Tuesday; a change to 1st Quarter phase and the northern declination, or the lowest the moon will get in the sky for about a month. A new system should develop in N QLD, which could be the low pressure band that is heading that way now intensifying. We could get a dose of equinoctial winds for a couple of days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSF92PMpJk  19 March 2010

What will the cyclone do? Check out the free Isobaric Weather Maps for Australia Lookahead 18 March - 8 April.
http://www.predictweather.co.nz/ShopProducts.aspx?ID=3
The cyclone is heading east but a rainband is going west. Meanwhile another system will form after the 25th over northern QLD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNdS7aXT_Rg  18 March 2010

The new moon has shifted slightly to the north, and is still in the sky most of the dy, but against the glare of the sun so is invisible until a thin sliver can be seen around 9pm in the northwest. We are coming up to the first quarter phase and the northernmost point in about 6 days time. In the top half of NZ, apart from rain about now which will clear about Thursday for a mostly dry weekend, weather should be cool, pleasant and mostly dry until around the 26th, when another cyclone is expected to develop. Snow should start appearing soon on some high country hills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZi6a8kaxQk  17 March 2010

New moon time is a good time for buying bananas! A very wonderful and happy St Patricks Day to our friends in Ireland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpO2NuL4pmM  16 March 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25w5Dd319j4  15 March 2010

The new moon is tomorrow at 9am. Because the moon is going north the cyclones in the Pacific will probably not affect NZ too much, although there is some wind about due to the moon crossing the equator today. The next extreme weather for our part of the world is likely around the end of March.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfUtAJ1YKEk  14 March 2010

Cyclones are gathering steam in Fiji, Tonga and Noumea, in the Pacific as they usually do in the cyclone season around New moon in summer, and cold winds are buffeting NZ over the next week. Possible first snow on Ruapehu. Not all that much rain around, what there is comes mostly at night.
Antarctica is -63C today and it's not even winter there yet. Yet they say Antarctica is melting? Brrr..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofk_Vwk4ZuA  13 March 2010

There's a jetstream coming up the length of NZ, pulled upwards by the north-trekking moon, and strong enough to cause destruction in wind-susceptible places like Wellington. Not much rain it it, but colder weather. There's a high in the Tasman forcing the wind to the high's edges. That high will stay there for at least a week. We're in new moon phase, that'll be peaking after the weekend. Good for fishing from Sunday to Wednesday, about lunchtime and dawn or dusk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo926IXu8yU  12 March 2010

Only a few days before new moon. Past the southern declination now and trekking north. The cold change that always happens just past southern declination is having some effect. Some planting tips for northern hemisphere farmers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6gOZ8GQcSU  11 March 2010

We are approaching the New moon phase, and the moon is now in the sky for most of the day, setting as a thin sliver in late afternoon around 4pm. What weather does that typically bring?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNpPCJhh6BU  10 March 2010

Rain is expected around the New moon period which is between 14th-18th but probably will not be enough for Northland. Watch the blog for when the drought will break for the far north and Canterbury/N Otago. Chance of first snows for Ruapehu next week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ButtfKz4dYU  9 March 2010

The moon is soon to start moving north and generating southerlies which will bring cooler conditions. 2010 is likely to be a very cold winter, with many annoying snowstorms at Turoa that will frustrate skiers. A good snowbase may be made for some early summer skiing. Get your firewood now, before the merchants run out when the cold weather arrives.

Today at about 7.30am the moon is the furthest point South for the month and won't be as high again for another 27 days in our (Auckland) sky. So what does it mean for the weather? Southern declinations bring slower weather systems, anticyclones in summer to this part of the world, and cooler weather to follow in a few days time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UozyUX5Wd0M 7 March 2010

Weatherwise today brings both warmth and convective showers. If summer hot and humid and rain later, but if winter then more cloud than actual rain.
Today being the 7th is both lastQ and S dec, so it’s a rest day if you’re a gardener, also a day the weather changes its pattern.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjQs_mdWPlk  6 March 2010

The ancients looked at the planets as well as the moon. For instance, today for Auckland, Sun+Jupiter+Mercury are 'together', called in conjunction and was said to herald dry hot weather. Venus opposite Saturn = wet. So can both be true? Moon is heading towards last quarter which means rain after lunch. Perhaps it will be first sunny then rain this afternoon.