Extreme Temperatures early February

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Interesting to see those hot temperatures for today with Otago/South and North Canterbury and the Wairarapa getting those high temperatures, even the far north. Places like Oamaru for example, 34C today and still at 30C. Whenever I go through there it is usually a cold place.
Tomorrow should be the hot one, here, before the southerly change comes through later and it could be a repeat of last Sunday, Feb 1st.

JohnGaul
NZThS

[TonyT]

Still impressive figures there Tony! That means Cheviot, and possibly Culverden, bettered the pre-1973 national high of 38.4°C set in 1956 at Ashburton. Not sure if that's happened since 1973?

Moorcroft vineyard near Cheviot recorded 40.3 at around 4pm. I know the set-up there, and the instruments are good, with a good exposure, although a typical vineyard environment, not your usual weather station surroundings. The large Omihi vineyard in Waipara got 38.4 around 5pm, again similar environment but a good exposure for the sensor.

[Compie]

Ok so it's 12:50am and still just under 30°C, incredible. What a night for sitting out on the patio, beer in hand, cricket on radio and watching the full orange moon through the hazy sky. It's been at about 28.8-29.4°C for at least the last 3 hrs, not moved a thing. Stunning night, no wind, just the odd NW gust.

Southerly change late morning will be a shock.

[TonyT]

Overnight low of 24.5deg here, plenty of sunshine now and temp climbing.

[Nev]

Moorcroft vineyard near Cheviot recorded 40.3 at around 4pm. I know the set-up there, and the instruments are good, with a good exposure, although a typical vineyard environment, not your usual weather station surroundings. The large Omihi vineyard in Waipara got 38.4 around 5pm, again similar environment but a good exposure for the sensor.

Hmm... interesting comment about "not your usual weather station surroundings". I think most vineyards here are sited on north facing slopes (as opposed to typical official weather-stations being sited on flat-areas). Assuming the instruments are in a Stevenson-screen and met WMO standards, would these slopes tend to bias the temp readings somewhat, e.g. temps perhaps being higher on the ridges than say in the valleys?

Just curious, as it would be nice if they could be used as acceptable comparisons to other official sites.

[JP.]

Jeff's had a minimum of 19.5 at 2am last night. Chch is going to have a scorcher today. 9am and already 28.4c

Today could see that 36c

[CHCH Weather Chaser]

Yes its very warm already and clear skies but what worries me is that the wind is still not from the NW its a Northeasterly still and picking up a little so temps will prob end up dropping if it doesnt change around at all. If it does change now high 30's would be on the cards.

Hit the magic 30 (930am)

[Razor]

Thats the earliest I can recall it being 30 degrees.... el schorcho out there!

[TonyT]

Moorcroft vineyard near Cheviot recorded 40.3 at around 4pm. I know the set-up there, and the instruments are good, with a good exposure, although a typical vineyard environment, not your usual weather station surroundings. The large Omihi vineyard in Waipara got 38.4 around 5pm, again similar environment but a good exposure for the sensor.

Hmm... interesting comment about "not your usual weather station surroundings". I think most vineyards here are sited on north facing slopes (as opposed to typical official weather-stations being sited on flat-areas). Assuming the instruments are in a Stevenson-screen and met WMO standards, would these slopes tend to bias the temp readings somewhat, e.g. temps perhaps being higher on the ridges than say in the valleys?

Just curious, as it would be nice if they could be used as acceptable comparisons to other official sites.

I knew people would be interested Like most modern weather stations (including the majority of NIWA stations) the temp sensors are in a radiation shield, not a screen. What I meant about the environment is that the vineyard weather stations tend to be surrounded by vines and posts and wires etc, and often on a gentle slope as you point out, rather than on flat open ground which is typical of most long term weather stations. I doubt that many vineyard stations would meet WMO standards for exposure for these reasons, but they are also much better exposed than most home weather stations, and I think we can trust readings from them, at least for the purposes of discussing how hot it got today!

[CHCH Weather Chaser]

If that stupid thin high cloud went away and the sun came out fully we would be around 33 now i would say. The sun better get out of it soon!

10am = Rolleston 31, HoonHay 30, Fendalton 30, Rangiora 32, Burwood 30, Lyttelton 32
Conditions = Light NNE Breeze and Thin High Cloud
1030am=Rolleston 32, Hoonhay 32, Fendalton 32, Rangiora 34, Burwood 31, Lyttelton 32
Conditions = No Change from Above
11am = Rolleston 34, HoonHay 34, Fendalton 32, Rangiora 33, Burwood 32, Lyttelton 34
Conditions = Light - Moderate NNE Breeze and Increasing High Cloud
1220pm= Rolleston 35, HoonHay 35, Fendalton 33, Rangiora 34, Burwood 34, Lyttelton 35
Conditions = Light - Moderate NNW Breeze and Thin High Cloud

[Andrew Massie]

The Aircon in the computer lab I'm in at CPIT isn't keeping up with the demand...!

[CHCH Weather Chaser]

I really do think if that sun gets our properly we could break that 35.7 or whatever it was when some suburbs hit unofficial 40's few weeks ago here. Its 33 in some suburbs now and the sun is behind thin high cloud. Add 2 degrees straight away if it gets out and we are around 35 and its only 1040am!

[Thunder]

Aircon

Aircon? What is Aircon?

[Tornado Tim]

Aircon

Aircon? What is Aircon?

Abbreviation for Air Conditioning.

Tomorrow has high CAPE Values for Eastern Waikato.
The only thing is temps are a bit too high at higher latitudes.
Damb!

[CHCH Weather Chaser]

Im afraid the high cloud in increasing This sucks because it really had huge potential being so early and having such temperatures.

[Razor]

Im afraid the high cloud in increasing This sucks because it really had huge potential being so early and having such temperatures.

Umm Mark.....

It is the weather.
It will be whatever it will be.

Clouds do not have personalities.
The sun does not hide to personally hack you off.

Just sit back and enjoy observing its constant fluctations and you won't get so upset.

[Janos]

It was an impressive day down here with the heat lasting up until about 4.00am.
Now the Southerlies come and the heat has gone, with a little dampness thrown in.

[gllitz]

Im afraid the high cloud in increasing This sucks because it really had huge potential being so early and having such temperatures.

Umm Mark.....

It is the weather.
It will be whatever it will be.

Clouds do not have personalities.
The sun does not hide to personally hack you off.

Just sit back and enjoy observing its constant fluctations and you won't get so upset.

Amen, brother....

[CHCH Weather Chaser]

I never said it did Razor. Im just saying its annoying because it really could have been a scorcher today. Nevermind...

[Razor]

I never said it did Razor. Im just saying its annoying because it really could have been a scorcher today. Nevermind...

33 now....feels like a scorcher here

[Janos]

Impressive drops in temperatures happening in Timaru with the onslaught of the Southerly.
Cant be too many hours away from knocking on Christchurch door.

[Janos]

I never said it did Razor. Im just saying its annoying because it really could have been a scorcher today. Nevermind...

But isnt it already a scorcher

[borris89]

thats exactly what happened here a week ago, some high cloud blocked the sun out and the temps sorta just hovered around 37-38 until the wind began to lose its heat too. it is a shame because i think the temps could have got to 40 C even with the sun still out.

[CHCH Weather Chaser]

No i have very high expectations if you hadn't already realised haha. I want a record breaker but yes i know its still a scorcher. It would be nice to have the news brag about our weather

[Thunder]

Aircon? What is Aircon?

Abbreviation for Air Conditioning.

Yeah I know, was being sarcastic. lol.

Is a hot day indeed.