Weather

Hmm, I'm no expert, but that could be problematic.

The only part of the country forecast for 'normal' rainfall is the west coast of the South Island, including Southland, i.e. all the catchments for the hydro lakes.

AND, as far as snow goes, I wouldn't be buying a season pass for the ski fields. Fairly sure you need freezing levels lower than 3,000m to get snow, or at least keep snow on the hills. With the almost certainty of higher than average temperatures (for the WHOLE Country), and the expected patterns of no southerlies, but Nor-west type bringing moist tropical air, I think snow is going to be like rocking horse shit this season (very hard to find).

Will be interesting for the implications for the electricity market. Perhaps we can get more fly ash for low carbon concrete - by burning 1,000's of tons of Indo coal at Huntly again. That would make the Greens oil and gas prospecting ban look like the best idea ever.

Do you have a link for the hydro lake levels? I might get some popcorn and start watching this, I think it will be like a slow moving train-wreck.

no just burn more imported dirty coal.

I am guessing it is the Mercury 1MW battery mentioned in this article, it appears Vector also have had a battery since 2016 but this is not connected to the HV grid

www.energy-storage.news/new-zealand-battery-project-awarded-to-saft-as-regulator-prepares-storage-friendly-rule-changes/

by the way Transpower are a bit misleading classifying Battery Storage under generation

Warnings covering Northland to Fiordland!?!?!
Looking at the current Metservice warnings, I can't help but think there's been some budget cuts, and they've got a graduate doing the weekend shift. They can tell some weather is coming, but aren't sure where, so have hedged their bets and listed the whole fricken country, so they can't be called out for getting it wrong...


Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Period: 19hrs 30min from 10:30am Sun, 12 Jun - 6am Mon, 13 Jun
Area: Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taranaki, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Buller, Westland, Canterbury High Country, Fiordland

Forecast: Frequent thunderstorms are expected about western and northern parts of New Zealand today (Sunday). These thunderstorms are forecast to bring heavy rain, hail, strong squally wind gusts, and possibly some small tornadoes about coastal areas. Between 10.30am Sunday and 6am Monday, some thunderstorms may become SEVERE in western areas of the country from Westland to Northland, including Marlborough Sounds and Wellington. These SEVERE thunderstorms could bring large hail greater than 20 mm in diameter, damaging winds gusting greater than 110 km/h, and possibly one or two damaging tornadoes near the coast. For Northland, Auckland and Waikato, the risk is mainly overnight. Wind gusts of this strength can cause structural damage, including to trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous. If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas. Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, as well as make driving conditions hazardous.

www.metservice.com/towns-cities/regions/auckland/locations/north-shore

friends have been sitting in Nelson for near on 2 weeks waiting for a weather window to bring their newly purchased yacht to Auckland.
They had been hoping next weekend might be ok but now the forecast is showing a deep low coming from the tropics which, if it eventuates, means they will be waiting a bit longer


I am planning to head to the Islands next winter, my current thinking is to leave early May, conditions on average seem to be a bit better than late May - June.

looks like another bunch of cruisers heading to warmer climes, most are the second ICNZ fleet


one of the ICNZ fleet seems to be making a course akin to a drunken sailor on his way home after a long night on the rum  
you can see their positions here
forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/rally/ICA-PacificRally2022/
my friends who were stuck in Nelson are finally on their way northwards for Auckland, been a long wait