La Niña. ENSO: https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/el-nino-and-la-nina
Forecasts have predicted La Niña weather events affecting NZ from November 2025 to January 2026. Here in the Marlborough Sounds that appears to have meant a lot of wind and strong winds from easterly directions (not normal here), lower temperatures and lots of rain.
Our veg garden is thriving on that rain. More sunshine hours would however be welcome - by both me and the veg.
Yesterday, while we were out on the weekly errands, strong winds toppled the tiny metal utility shed by the caravan and broke a caravan window. Fortunately our neighbours were home and saved the situation - leaving us with only some glass to clear up and the job of making a temporary waterproof cover for the window when we got home.
Today it is raining heavily and forecast to continue thus until Friday.
Cabin fever.
Six months ago (end of June) Scully and I were trapped indoors by a 36 hour rain event that dropped nearly 16 inches of rain (400mm) on this part of the world.
I've never been so grateful for free draining soil. It's difficult to garden, needing regular water and double doses of mulch but beats putting a shovel in the ground to discover free water (ie top of the water table) 4 inches below the surface.
Plans to do anything outdoors are on hold. Scully dropped in, observed that we hadn't died, and dropped out again. No walking in this weather.
Vineyards across Marlborough are flush and green but I expect growers would like some weeks of warmer weather to develop the grapes.
Here are some photos from a recent stop on Kaikoura Coast to watch some baby seals cavorting and practising their swim skills.
It seems that nowhere is immune to the World's weird weather patterns now.
ReplyDeleteStay dry!
We are going for 'get wet and d**n the consequences'.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteAh, the perfect sunning rock! Yikes about the weather, though. It's a bit mad everywhere, I think. Here, we've had nothing worse than a Sydney winter... until today. The skies cleared of clouds overnight and this has resulted in a drop below zero centigrade, and thus, frost. Finally.
Shame about the wind damage, but glad it wasn't worse. I did reread that bit to make sure it wasn't the the caravan (or the lodge) which had been toppled! Scully should be careful out in that - she might get spun up and land in OZ!!! YAM xx
rough with the smooth - she was at greater risk of landing in the north island 😱
DeleteThe seals blend in so well with the rocks. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteIt does take some getting close to spot some of them (smell gives them away first)
DeleteWe have had weeks of strong winds and rain
ReplyDeleteThe last two days have been very warm. Suddenly summer has arrived
The sunshine is great for making everyone feel better
La Niña is supposed to abate by Feb - let's see.
DeleteSeals pose as though they have not a care in the world.
ReplyDeleteYou have been blessed with an abundance of rain. I hope the sun will soon do its part.
They probably haven't a care in the world on that bit of coast.
DeleteThe floppy rocks have faces!! Weather is going to weather- extreme and becoming more so due to human activity and dead dinosaurs. We are living the sixth extinction- front row seats! Exciting isn't it?
ReplyDelete😬😱
DeleteThe contrast between the furriness of the seals ...and the smooth rocks... although they look similar in shape!
ReplyDeleteYes..crackers weather.. everywhere
The wet seals are very slick and sleek.
DeleteThe west coast had rain and thunderstorms forecast this week but none have eventuated, instead it's been heat and blue skies, hope that reaches you there too. Happy new year to you.
ReplyDelete