Chris's Weather and Miscellanea

Weather and Miscellanea Post No 88

2007-11-18T17:36:00.000+10:00

Over the last couple of days (yesterday and today) there has been some rather interesting weather action in the form of thunderstorms, some of which were severe. These were caused largely because of low pressure troughs passing over NSW, creating an unstable atmosphere - as i speak now, the town of Captains flat is being hit by a nasty storm with moderate rainfall, with possible hail (A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Large Hailstones).

Up North in the Coral Sea, A cyclone has formed. Tropical Cyclone Guba (a name given by Port Moresby Cyclone Warning Centre) formed on the 15th, and has been rather erratic and slow moving. It briefly reached severe intensity on the Friday, before ecountering some wind shear, which caused it to weaken. Cyclone Guba is a very small and compact storm, and is a cyclone as i speak.

Will post more later.

Chris die wettermann.

Some weather news...

2007-11-14T12:00:00.000+10:00

I thought it was time to post again, and its getting rather interesting in the Australian weather scene, so I'll be devoting most of this post to the weather!!

Last week, there was a lot of rain - In cherrybrook, where i live, it rained quite substantially, with over 100mm in the first 11 days of November. The rain in the Sydney metropolitan cleared on Saturday (10th Nov 2007) and since then it has been mostly fine, with a few cloudy periods.
The Sydney Catchment Authority's dams went up +0.4% when the weekly report was issued on Thursday 8th November (last Thursday), due to slow moving thunderstorms and rain periods and heavy slow moving showers.

The rain and thunderstorms affected most of the state at some point during the first week or so of November, this was due to a number of troughs of low pressure and moist airstreams, providing abundant moisture and significant instability, resulting in some quite large rainfall totals at a number of locations.
A few of them were in 24 hours to 9am, the date in brackets next to the rainfall location:

Mt Seaview, Inland near Kempsey - 73mm (Saturday 3rd)
Camden Airport (near picton) - 66mm (Saturday 3rd)
Warragamba (township?) - 53mm (Saturday 3rd)
Lismore Aiport AWS - 49mm (Saturday 3rd)
Albury - Wodonga - 54mm (Sunday 4th)
Albury Airport AWS - 53mm (Sunday 4th)
Lockhart(Riverina area) - 52mm (Sunday 4th)
Temora Airport AWS - 50mm (Sunday 4th)
Cootamundra Airport - 38mm (Sunday 4th)
Cooma Visitors Centre - 22mm (Sunday 4th) - notable fall, as cooma lies in a rain shadow and does not recieve much rain.

This week, while the weather in NSW is mostly dry apart from some storms expected to develop around mid week in a few areas of the state, most of the action lies with wet season swinging into gear, and there is a Ocean warning out for the coral sea for a developing tropical low, which has crossed over the southern part of Papua new guinea and is now expected to develop further possibly to cyclone status while moving slowly westwards towards the Cape York Peninsula - if this does develop into a cyclone, this would become Tropical Cyclone Rebecca and the first cyclone for the season and only 14 days after the cyclone season has started.

Keep you posted on this developing low and other weather matters,

Chris, die wettermann.

hello again

2007-10-17T16:43:00.000+10:00

Good Afternoon everyone!!

This is my first post in ages, so it won't that long, but hopefully not too short!

A few issues/reasons or excuses for not blogging that prevented me to blog, or gave me no reason to blog for the time being - my emotional wellbeing, lack of exciting and/or extreme weather stories until last week, when a series of storms developed for most of the week, not feeling like to post and just forgeting about my blog all together.

You see, without recieving in comments or reminders lately to blog, i've not thought about it in a long time and made me practically forget about the blog that I used to spend so much time on!!
Also, the novelty tends to wear off after a while, and it can be a real struggle when you have nothing in particular to talk about.

WEATHER NEWS:
during last week, a couple of troughs of low pressure lingered and moved over the NE of NSW for most of the week, resulting in storms for most of the week, with the last band of storms developing on Friday of last week.
A substanial number of Severe Thunderstorm warnings were issued in particular for the NE area of the state, for potentially damaging winds and large hailstones.
A number of reports of hail were reported during last week throughout the state, with the largest hail coming from a particularly intense and severe storm, which passed directly over the big town of Lismore.
The storm passed over the town around 2pm on Tuesday the 9th October (last Tuesday), unleashing gale force wind gusts, and hail up to the size of tennis balls, and covering the ground, making it look like snow. Very heavy rain also fell, about 32mm from this storm.
The hail destroyed house windows and damaged other parts of houses such as roof tiles, and damaged cars, leaving dents in the car, and smashing car windows.
The town was declared a state of emergency the next day, with the storm leaving a massive repair bill, in the millions.

Not much else has been happening, feeling quite miserable at times, with not alot I would like to do in my recent TAFE break. All i did was watched movies and brought some movies for my collection, which suppose is exciting...
Didn't have alot of social contact during the holidays, due to my friends being busy with uni and other stuff...

talk later, i've had enough of talking......

Hello, I'm back.... Hello World!!

2007-09-03T23:14:00.000+10:00

After last week not being the best, today (Monday) i'm not feeling too bad considering i have a test tomorrow (*groan*) and hand a assignment in (finally!)

I'm hoping to blog here more often now, and hoping that i'll be in the right moods to blog!!
there will be weather stories and other fun stuff...

WEATHER NEWS: With that very heavy rain two weeks ago, major flooding occured in Noosa and surrounding Areas(on the QLD Sunshine Coast, i think!), as the Noosa River broke its bank after very rainfall in the area, including an all time August rainfall record - the Highest daily rainfall for Australia for August - somewhere in the vicinity of 800 mm in 24 hours at a place called Rainbow Beach. I will confirm these details in a later post (not too later post, i hope!).

With those heavy rainfall totals reported in Northern NSW during the same event, which I posted in the last blog post, minor to moderate flooding occured in parts of some northern NSW river systems, including Moderate Flooding on the Orara River, which starts inland from Coffs Harbour. On the Orara River, the town of Glenreagh, inland of Coffs Harbour, was inudated with moderate flooding. Three other river systems in northern NSW also had flood warnings issued - these being the Macleay, the Bellinger and i think the Hastings River systems - flooding did not occur on all these systems.

And August this year was the warmest August in 12 years, the last August being in 1995.

More weather stories to follow,

Chris the Weather man

A bit about me!!

2007-08-29T00:45:00.000+10:00

For those who haven't read it yet, i've put a link below this that has a little about me, which seems highly appropriate since i turned 20 just a few hours ago:

http://chrisweatherandmisc.blogspot.com/2007/08/9-days-to-go.html

btw, PLEASE leave comments - i do actually read them!! :-)

Chris the 20 year old!

You say its your birthday!!

2007-08-28T12:12:00.000+10:00

YAY!!
It's finally my birthday - hooray!! I turn 20 this evening!! :-)
That's if anyone still reads this... everyone has gone to facebook i think... its so sad! :-(
I can tell... my number of hits are slowing down, now.

Anyone who reads this, please comment - ta!!

Chris the Birthday Boy!!

Very heavy Rainfall in NE NSW Mon 20 to Tues 21 Aug07

2007-08-21T11:50:00.000+10:00

Torrential rainfall fell over large areas of NE NSW, from Kempsy in the South to near the QLD/NSW Border yesterday and last night. Though rain has begun to ease, there will still be more rainfall during today for these areas.
This is only a preliminary blog, mentioning a few of the more notable falls.
They include:

For the 24 hours to 9am Tues 21 Aug07

206mm at Dorrigo (West of Coffs Harbour)
171mm at Coffs Harbour Meteorological Office
232mm at Nambucca Heads (near Coffs Harbour)
133mm at Kempsey Airport
130mm at Grafton Airport

Keep you posted

Chris

I'm back.....

2007-08-19T16:54:00.000+10:00

The reason why there has been a lack of posts lately has been due to my ups and downs, mostly my downs which has really prevented me from blogging and also tafe chewing a significant slice of time.

Anyways, im back now!!

Weatherwise, its been up and down too - fairly dry of late - with only light rainfalls for August so far- till today!!

A cloud band is developing over Eastern NSW, which has resulted in the rain, which has been falling over Eastern NSW today - the BOM predicts further heavy falls for the remainder of Sunday down to Sydney, but tomorow, the falls will move NE, and hence the heaviest falls will be restricted to NE NSW during tomorrow.
This rain for Sydney has been the heaviest since last month, or even probably June!!
the rainfall totals for today for the 24 hours to 9am, are mostly light, though with the rains continuing to fall throughout today, heavy 24 hour totals finishing tomorrow are likely.
Sydney Observatory Hill (near the Harbour bridge) has had since 9am this morning 47.8mm up to 4:45pm this afternoon.

Keep you posted,

Chris

9 days to go....

2007-08-19T14:11:00.000+10:00

Time just flies!!
In only 9 days and just under 5 hours I will no longer be a teenager!!
Kinda strange, really...

So i thought in readiness for my day, I'll summerize a bit about me!!

Born: 7pm, 28th August 1987 at Sydney Adventist Hospital
I like: the Weather (suprise!) , snow, snow skiing
I hate: really hot days (>40C = yuck and/or gross!)
Fave food: Chicken Schnitzel, Beef Stoganoff, Chocalate, mango
Hate food: Brussel sprouts,cabbage, really hot spicy food
Fave Band: really tricky... The Beatles, ELO, ABBA,others
Fave weather: It would have to be snowing or raining
I Like: being with friends, playing compy games

thanks to sarah, for the idea from her blog!!
And thanks to everyone who knows me and has supported me over the years - friends, family - u guys rock!!

Bis bald,

Chris the soon to be 20 year old!!

[edited 11:51am Tues 21 Aug07]

First Inland rain for NSW in ages...

2007-08-04T23:24:00.000+10:00

The first widespread rain for inland NSW fell on Thursday and Friday this week.

Most falls were under 10mm all up, at least they will provide some much needed soil moisture for the crops - i pray they will get more soon!!

The heaviest 24 hour fall was to 9am Friday which was 16mm at White Cliffs in the state's west.

It seems that this will be the last widepread rain for some time at least, which is really not good news.

Chris the weather guy

I'm not well...

2007-08-04T23:19:00.000+10:00

I hate tummy upsets - they really, really do suck lots, and thats why im not well!!

Haven't been able to do alot of study the last 2 days (today and yesterday) because of this - its mainly just a stomach ache, which does not seem to dissapear completely - I wish it would go away forever...

Enough of me complaining....

Chris the guy with the stomach ache

I'm back and feeling OK!!

2007-07-30T23:48:00.000+10:00

I felt I ahould blog to let everyone know that Monday (today), I had a reasonable day, despite, hurting my finger!
It was the finger next to my thumb on my right hand, and basically 'shaved' the top layer of skin off!! It hurt a bit at first, but then came annoying quite quickly, as most of you that know me really well will know that I am RIGHT handed - and the fact that it wouldn't stop bleeding straight away was the main reason why i cant do alot!!
I can now type, but haven't tried much else.

Anyway, apart from that, I woke up at 11am, feeling quite happy, and had this feeling of joy and a feeling of fullness that god is with me!

Today, i spent time cleaning my room, at first, which i didnt mind, as it was packing away, though only temporarily, some newspaper clippings into a box, for future scrapbook stuff.
Homework/study was on the agenda, but didnt happen as i hurt my finger!

And I listened to some music, and did some other stuff, and more RAIN and SNOW for snowy mountains is on the way - WOO HOOO!!

And if you are still reading this, i now beginning to blab on - cause i can!! :- )

Chris the News breaker, ham shaver, and general nonesne motormouth!! :-)

blog time no. 5555

2007-07-29T20:26:00.000+10:00

Here you are guys!!

I thought i better blog again for my small but devoted number of readers!!
Apart from Mum's bday last monday and Hannah's bday on Wednesday and going out with a old school bud who turned 20 on the 21st on thursday, life been somewhat normal....

Life for me is kinda sucky at the moment - one minute it is good, the next it sucks - i dont think my mood swings are getting any better, considering im not really happy at the moment as i write this. Most people reading this will understand why i am moody and down, not going into detail here!

Anyway.....

Not alot else to say.....

Make my day, send a comment, with something funny if you can - if it is a good im having, it will make it alot happier, if it is a bad day, it will make it brighter!! : - )

Mid Week Cold Snap brought little snow

2007-07-22T15:58:00.000+10:00

The cold snap which moved through NSW during tuesday and early Wednesday, due to a intense cold front, brought little low level snow outside the alps, which was what the BOM predicted.
This was due to the dry nature of the system - though the air associated with the passing of the cold front was certainly colder enough, with snow levels predicted down to about 500 to 600m above sea level, little moisture was available north of the snowy mountains.
However small amounts up to a few centimetres fell over the western parts of the central tablelands, around Orange and Oberon areas, with snow being reported in the areas around orange, in the township of Oberon and in the township of Milthorpe, near Orange.
The moisture didn't and couldn't penetrate the blue mountains area and so the blue mountains were basically snowless.

A fair bit of sleet was reported by a friend of mine in the southern highlands (most people reading this - I'm 99.9% sure you know this person!! ) : - )
Snow falling in Taralga, near Goulburn was reported falling in the township, but did not settle.

Up to 20cm fell over the alps, which was good news for the ski resorts. There was snow on the Kosciuszko Road from Berridale(between Cooma and Jindabyne), according to the RTA road advice webpage, all the way up to Perisher in the skifields. Chains were most likely at one point to have been used around late Tuesday or Early Wednesday from Berridale or Jindabyne to the skifields, however i dont think i have any info confirming this. I do know, that there was snow reported on the road at Berridale by the RTA.

Final Poll Results

2007-07-22T15:40:00.000+10:00

Well, with about a hour left for polling on my poll which is on my blog, these will be considered as the final results to the Question "Have you seen snow?"

Yes - lots! - 1 vote
Yes - a little bit - 3 votes
I Can't Remember - 0 votes
No I haven't - 2 votes

Thanks for all for polling!!

Next poll question coming soon to a blog like mine soon!!

Chris

Poll results so far

2007-07-21T13:06:00.000+10:00

Poll results so far for the Question "Have you seen snow?"

Yes - lots! - 1 vote
Yes - a little - 2 votes
Can't remember - 0 votes
No I haven't - 2 votes

Thanks to all who voted!

Chris

blogging is not as fun anymore....

2007-07-21T12:59:00.000+10:00

I'm not enjoying blogging anymore - you should see a post maybe once a week...
The reason being i'm going through a really tough patch in life at the moment, and I'm just finding it hard to do things like blogging.

This is NOT saying "this blog is closing" - no,no,no!!
I just need time away thats all..

Thankyou for your understanding and do check back!!

P.S I still love comments!!

Chris

TAFE today and other things i've been up to!!

2007-07-17T10:43:00.000+10:00

Yes, its TAFE time again, and i'm not looking forward to being at TAFE at 9:30 at night!!
Oh, well, life can't be and is not perfect!

I've made my invites for my birthday bash - already, which i did on Sunday arvo and they look pretty cool!

Other things that are in my news - SNOW expected for most of SE NSW, up to the Central Tablelands/ Blue Mountains regions, down to 500m, which is pretty exciting!! : - )
Unfortunately, I won't be able to see any - im at tafe each day up to and including Thursday!
Otherwise, I would catch the train up to the mountains...

And i'm looking forward to meeting up with my best bud from school, when he gets back for Japan!!

Oh and please comment - I LOVE reading comments!!

Chris the news guy

I've got a poll!

2007-07-14T17:42:00.000+10:00

Yes, blogger now has a poll feature - I put one into my blog today.

Please try it out and vote!!

Thanks

Chris

COLD SNAP ALERT FOR NSW!!

2007-07-14T17:40:00.000+10:00

I'm jumping and down with this latest state forecast for NSW from the Bureau of Meteorology, issued this afternoon at 4:30.

Here is a excerpt from the 'Current Weather Situation and Future Developments' part of the forecast:

The low pressure system developing to the southwest of WA is worth watching over the forecast period. The majority of computer forecasts have it moving through the state on Tuesday, developing into a Tasman Sea low mid week. The air mass in the wake of this change is predicted to be the coldest of the season to date. It is likely to be too cold for much in the way of precipitation on Wednesday, but whatever falls may do so as snow down to as low as 500 to 600 metres about parts of the central and southern tablelands. Showers will contract to the coast and southern ranges, falling as snow about higher ground, on Thursday as the low develops off the coast.
http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDN10031.html

I have been watching this system since it first came on the long range computer models since about Tuesday this week, and watched it evolve, as the models 'toyed' with the scenario - during the first couple of days of being within the 7 day period, which is as far out as these two long range models can go, there was fair amount of inconsistency with the models and after a couple of days, are now concuring pretty well, in my opinion.
The models which I am referring to are the GASP run by the BOM and the GFS run by the US,and though the GFS can go out further - i can only access the GFS out 7 days.
Anyway... where was i?
Oh yeah, and with the BOM now predicting snow possibly as low as 500m Above Sea Level, it seems it could be the most intense cold snap, in my opinion, in about 2 years!

My Prognosis:

So, okay, i've given the 'professionals' forecast of the system, and though this scenario is not expected to affect the state till about next Tuesday and into Wednesday, I will give my current thoughts and predictions and etc.
With reference to the long range computer models, Highland snow is good chance about the southern and central tablelands (that is, blue mountains, cooma - monaro regions) and possible light snow about the southern highlands. Rain and highland snow is expected to develop during the day, restricted to highest parts of central and southern tablelands during the day, though extending lower later in the day. Snow for the tablelands and highlands is more likely later in the day. However, moisture, will be a issue, as it seems to be quite patchy and dry, for the areas outside the Snowy Mountains and the southern parts of the Southern Tablelands.
Early snow on the highlands and tablelands, as far as north as the central tablelands seems possible early Wednesday as well, though it would be little, if any.

Likely Scenario:
The front will move through the state during tuesday, and a ECL will develop during Wedneday, though it should develop quite well off the coast - showers are still possible however for coastal areas, and most, if not all, will be quite cold to extremely cold, and possibly breaking some records. Snow should continue in the snowy mountains till about Thursday, as the Low moves away from the coast.

Keep you guys posted,

Chris the SNOW freak

The snow season just get's better and better!

2007-07-11T22:47:00.000+10:00

After a series of cold fronts and another ECL, the snow in the resort areas in NSW's Snowy Mountains is in the best shape, according to the snow reports issued by the alpine resorts and their webcams which give a indication of the current conditons.

The series of cold fronts began last Wednesday, with the first of 2 fronts, followed by two low pressure troughs, which had weakened from cold fronts.

Wednesday's front, began to fall as rain on the lower areas, due to warm air preceeding the front, but by 10am it was falling to 1600 to 1700m. During the day, the snow level continued to fall, and was falling down to thredbo village.

It continued snowing throughout thursday, and became heavier with the passing of the 2nd front.

On the weekend with the passage of low pressure troughs and low pressure systems and associated cold pool, more snow arrived with about 15 to 20 cm falling.

In all throough this event, the NSW Resorts had about 60 to 80 cm all up.

This week the only snow forecast is for tomorrow (Thursday) which will light falls only.
Looking further ahead, snow is possible next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Chris die wettermann

"Eagle" by ABBA - Another song I Like.. and its stuck in my head

2007-07-10T00:48:00.000+10:00

This song which I have stuck in my head at the moment is called Eagle by the group ABBA, which most/all should know about (and that I am a ABBA freak!).

The reason that it is stuck in my head, is beacause I was looking at Roxi's MSN name and it had something about "I'm an Eagle!", which to me didn't make alot of sense! It reminded me of a ABBA song called Eagle which is on their 1977 Album, ABBA the Album and the fact there is line in the song which goes "I am an eagle that flies on the breeze".
And so I add that line to my MSN name - AND now its stuck in my head - the chorus part of Eagle!

It's a song which I believe is their longest - the album version going for 5:56 minutes, which is quite long! Most of you guys probally have not heard it, or have and don't know what it was called... happens to me with songs a fair bit!

Here's the Lyrics:

By Bjorn Ulvaeus/Benny Anderson

They came flyin’ from faraway
now I’m under their spell
I love hearing the stories that they tell
they’ve seen places beyond my land
and they’ve found new horizons
they speak strangely but I understand
and I dream I’m an eagle
and I dream I can spread my wings

Flyin’ high, high
I’m a bird in the sky
I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze
high, high
what a feeling to fly over mountains and forests and seas
and to go anywhere that I please

As all good friends we talk all night
and we fly wing to wing
I have questions and they know everything
there’s no limit to what I feel
we climb higher and higher
am I dreamin’ or is it all real
is it true I’m an eagle
is it true I can spread my wings

Flyin’ high, high
I’m a bird in the sky
I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze
high, high
what a feeling to fly over mountains and forests and seas
and to go anywhere that I please

© Copyright 1977 for the world by Universal/Union Songs AB, Stockholm, Sweden. All rights reserved

taken from the site: www.abbasite.com

Thats all for now,

Bis bald (See you soon in german! ;P),

Chris (aka Kristoff the german), the ABBA freak

I got my Automatic Weather Station!!

2007-07-07T23:02:00.000+10:00

Well, my dreams of having a working automatic weather station are coming closer to fruitition.

Today, I brought my AWS!! YAY!!

I opened at home and it looks very cool indeed.. anywhooo... i'll talk to you guys later about what its like, how it works, what it does, etc..

That it is all!!

Chris the Weather Nerd

My Counter Officially WORKS!!!

2007-07-06T00:35:00.000+10:00

YAY!!

My counter finally works!! It works with both the www. and without the www. in the web address!!

So if you use either of the following:

It should work - it did for me - just then!!

I can now sleep - and i feel happy!! Thankyou Sarah for your help!!

Chris the web guru

my blog was mucking up...

2007-07-06T00:30:00.000+10:00

the reason for this post is because - it wouldn't display the previous post i did minutes earlier!!
Which was about my counter.. this post was originally a near copy of the previous post and so i changed it - it looked stupid.

c

my counter kinda works....

2007-07-06T00:19:00.000+10:00

Yes, i have a site counter, which kinda works from mxcounter.com - address kindly provided by Sarah!

Only problem is that it won't appear on http://chrisweatherandmisc.blogspot.com version of this blog - you have to add www. - so it becomes http://www.chrisweatherandmisc.blogspot.com

And i don't know why - i'm really puzzled by it - i though i did everything right... must ask someone who might now why - as it is reallly annoying!!

Please let me know any ideas on why iti is not working.. (prompt for the computer geeks like me!!)

Chris

More Snow for the Snowy Mountains - and lots of wind for NSW!!

2007-07-05T14:52:00.000+10:00

Well, as you can probally hear (that's if you are not in windowless, sound - proofed room and have some of the loudest music ever up full boar!!) the wind blowing a absolute gale!!

At my place the wind has been howling and blowing since basically i got up and that was about 9:15am. Since then, the wind has, in my opinion become stronger, with the stronger gusts occuring more frequently the last couple of hours.

Spare a thought for the people, who have to work on the ski resorts in the Snowy Mountains, in this weather!!

Today is the second day in the snowy mountains of blizzard conditions in a row, after starting yesterday morning with the first strong cold front moving through mid morning.

(Our trampoline just blew over!! - this wind is crazy and wild!! :O). That happened at about 2:15pm.....

Anyway, before the passage of this front through the snowy mountains yesterday, the air preceeding the front was unseasonably warm, due to warm northerly winds, ahead of the front.
Precipitation bagan to fall as rain, except for the highest peaks, but as the cold air behind the front came through around 10am, it turned to about 1700m, and continued to lower throughout the day and night.
The reason for this wild weather, is due to a complex low pressure system south of the mainland, with a series of cold fronts associated with it and a strong, moisture laden westerly airstream, which is causing these strong winds and blizzard conditions in the snowy mountains.

By this morning the resorts had about 15 to 20 cm of fresh snow, with still its coming down thick and fast!!

Keep you posted,

Chris the skiierman/weatherman

More information on East Coast Lows

2007-07-02T18:30:00.000+10:00

Guys,

If you want to find out more about East Coast Lows (ECLs) go to this page at the BOM:
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/sevwx/facts/ecl.shtml

Chris, weather extraordinaire

A Favourite Song of mine: Taxman by The Beatles

2007-07-02T13:13:00.000+10:00

The Lyrics

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'cause I'm the taxman,
yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'cause I'm the taxman,
yeah, I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
Taxman

'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman

Don't ask me what I want it for (ha ha Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more (ha ha Mr. Heath)
'cause I'm the taxman,
yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'cause I'm the taxman,
yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me

This is a pretty funny song about the stereotypical "taxman" which George Harrison wrote, while with the Beatles. It was written in 1966 and appeared on their Revolver Album.

Chris

NSW and Victoria's crazy weather Wednesday (27/6) to Thursday 28/6

2007-07-01T19:40:00.000+10:00

As i finished off from the previous post on the same subject, that was posted on the 27th of last month, this post will cover the last two days of the 'twin ECL' event, which developed from a trough off the coast of NSW (the first low, formed near the coast - the second low, further out in the tasman sea).

As the first East Coast Low (that formed near the Illawarra coastline on Tuesday and then moved south towards the south coast), moved closer to the far southern NSW coastline during early wednesday, the other low was already showing signs of intensification (strengtening).

The First Low

The first low crossed the far southern NSW coast at around 10am Wednesday, and continued to move further inland during the day, and began to weaken.
However, this was not before it dumped massive quantities of precipitation (snow, but mostly rain), over parts of Eastern Victoria. Southern NSW also recieved some heavy totals, but compared to the 24 hour rainfall totals to 9am Wednesday for parts of Victoria (the Gippsland region recieved the heaviest rainfalls), NSW heaviest totals seem like a 'drop in the bucket'.

The reason for certain parts of Victoria (such as the gippsland and alpine areas) to recieve huge rainfall totals, is due to the compostion of this particular East Coast Low.
East Coast Lows (ECLs), which are similar to tropical cyclones, have the heaviest rain south of the Low's centre, and north of the low's centre, it is possible to have clear skies.
And as the low moved towards the southern NSW coastline, the rainband south of the low's centre treked over parts of the eastern and northern parts of victoria, thus resulting in some of these staggering rainfall totals in parts of Victoria.
This occured from late tuesday and for a fair bit of wednesday. During the day, the low weakened and moved further north in NSW, and thus the rainband moved with it, producing far smaller falls of rain to areas of the Riverina and Central Plains and slopes in NSW.
These very heavy falls in Victoria produced very significant and large stream and river rises and flooding ensued.
Firstly, from local flooding from the rain itself, then flooding to areas near the swollen river systems, some of which had huge floodwaters.
Flooding is continuing, as i write this post- mainly around the eastern coastal areas of victoria around Lake Entrance.

Cold air associated with this system produced moderate snowfalls for alpine areas of NSW and Victoria, and during Wednesday, this cold air moved north. Snow began falling and in some cases, settling in parts of the Southern and Central Tablelands of NSW.
Heavy snow had already fallen in Cooma/Adaminaby/Nimmitabel area late on tuesday.
Taralga, near Goulburn had about 4cm on the hills surrounding the town.
The Oberon area, had in places where snow was 15cm deep, possibly deeper in localised areas.
Oberon township had about 6cm, by early evening.
Many other centres in the Blue Mountains/Central Tablelands region recieved snow, and settled in some places. Places such as Orange, Lithgow, Blackheath all had reports of snow falling and/or settling.
The cold air continued to move north, and snow fell in several places early thursday. Guyra, the highest town on the Northern tablelands had about 4cm on the ground at 9am Thusday. Snow was also reported falling at 9am at Glen Innes, North of Armidale.

the heaviest falls for the first low in NSW, were 70mm or more at several places on the south coast, including Eden, Bega, Candelo and Tathra.

The Second Low

The second low moved closer to SE Australia, during Thursday, but didn't cause much damage unlike the first one.
It did not bring as much rain as the first one in NSW, though it brought another 50 to 60mm to parts of already saturated Victoria. It did, however bring some more snow to the snowy mountains, after overnight rain, caused by the warm air from the lows.

Sources: Weatherzone.com.au forums, australianweathernews.com (Daily weather summaries for Wed 27 June 2007 and Thursday 28th June 2007).

Coming soon...

2007-07-01T16:48:00.000+10:00

Hey readers,

It is sooo frustrating when you try to add something nifty like a webpage visitor counter to website/webpage/blog.
I WAS trying to add one from sitemeter.com, got a account, got the code, pasted the code into my blog thing - BUT trying to get it to work is another matter altogether!!!

Until i figure what the issue is, i will never know how many people visit my blog - oh well, it is not a big deal anyway - they just look cool and they add up to show how many ppl have visited your page and ive wanted to put one in for some time on my blog. Will have to ask radar how he put his in.... it was radar that inspired me to put a counter on my blog after seeing the results of his counter - which actually works in blogger!

Anyway this and more coming soon to my blog!!

Keep tuned,

Chris the weather geek/computer nerd/web tinkerer

I'm on my mid year TAFE break!!

2007-06-29T23:59:00.000+10:00

Finally, i'm on mid-year TAFE break... well, have been officially since Thursday last week, but alas, had some stuff to finish off like assignments and the like.

And its really only sinking in, the fact of that im free for two more whole weeks!! YAY!!

but it isn't 'YAY' now... mum's the boss.. says time to get to bed.... alright
i spose its time....

NIGHT WORLD!!

What is my Blog rated?

2007-06-29T23:53:00.000+10:00

Well it appears that the blog 'Chris's Weather and Miscellanea:

Is rated G for Geeks (and General Audiences)!!

Couldn't help myself for being silly.. it was sooo tempting!!

Chris

A funny but serious error found on the Bureau's Homepage!!

2007-06-29T22:55:00.000+10:00

This is quite funny but also very serious error, which i found on the BOM's Homepage a few minutes ago - have a good look at the following extract (formatted to look ok in blogger), the bit where it says 'Perth'.

You will see that currently, according to this data, Perth is having a ultra- heatwave at the moment!! While the rest of the country is quite cool to cold!! The extra funny thing is that it is raining during this scorcher!! Perth is in BOLD.

Latest Weather

City °C Rain since 9 am
Sydney 11° 0.0 mm

Melbourne 10° 0.8 mm

Brisbane 15° 0.0 mm

Perth 51° 11.0 mm

Adelaide 10° 5.0 mm

Hobart 5° 0.0 mm

Canberra 6° 0.0 mm

Darwin 17° 0.0 mm

In the weather industry, Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) can give rather inaccurate data, due to all kinds of issues - these are called 'data spikes' or where the data is corrupted and is a serious issue. Right now, Perth will have to look at alternative sites nearby for weather info.

Hope you see the funnyiness and the seriousness that I do!!

Chris the weatherjockey

[edited: 10:57pm, Friday 29th June 2007].

Post on the bizzare but significant weather in NSW this week

2007-06-29T22:27:00.000+10:00

Dear Readers,

I have not forgotten to post a nice long report on the other half of this week's strange and bizarre weather in NSW and beyond the borders.
This will done in the next day or two, when I get around to it!!

Thanks,

Chris the Weathernut (Kristoff der wetterfreak)

50 blog posts so far... and this is the 51st!!

2007-06-29T22:20:00.000+10:00

WOOHOO!!
YAY!!
I have reached a milestone - in about a month and a half, I have had 50 posts published - this one making it 51!!

SNOW, rain and wind!!

2007-06-27T12:55:00.000+10:00

The first low pressure system (also known as a ECL) according to the latest Mean Sea Level Analysis Chart from the BOM which was valid at 1000 am this morning, shows the first low near the south coast of NSW.
This low has already brought heavy rain, strong winds and in parts of the Southern Tablelands, snow.
The heaviest falls for NSW were from around bega to the border and then inland.
Cooma (township) had 43mm for 24 hrs to 9am this morning, quite heavy for cooma, as it is in a rainshadow (and don't recieve much rain).

Yesterday, as the low made its way south towards the south coast, cold air which lingered from the night before, was kept in a cold due to cloud cover arriving early in the day.
This area was south and east of Canberra, around the small townships of Bredbo and Michelago and a mountain range near there. This area recieved snow for a few hours yesterday, while places around was pouring with rain. For example, Canberra was about 4C and pouring with rain.
Roads around Bredbo, were closed for a few hours due to heavy snow and ice.

As the low deepened moved further south, cold air associtated with the low produced snowfalls around the Cooma/ Bombala/ Nimmitabel area, with enough snow falling to close two major highways in the region for a period of time.

Heavy snowfalls were also reported in the snowy mountains, with between 30 and 40cm for the ski resorts. However, due to warm air that has been dragged from the tasman sea and wrapped around the low, the snow level is expected to rise, with only higher parts of the resorts to recieve more snow from these systems.
As this low weakens during today, another low currently in the central Tasman Sea, will move towards the South Coast of NSW tonight to produce more rain, wind and snow, before moving towards the central coast tomorrow.
Currently, as I write this, light snowfalls are being reported in the central tablelands around Oberon and Portland and Orange, with more snow possible tonight. I found this out on a weather discussion during today.

LATE PRESS: I remembered today (Friday 29/6/07) that I recall seeing a story on the ABC News on Ch2 on Wednesday night, concerning with one of Goulburn's dams (will cover this later) and SNOW falling and settling in Crookwell, which is North West of Goulburn.
For Memory, Crookwell is somewhere around 850m Above Sea Level, and the story showed a thin cover, enough to make snowmen and probally bobsleds!!

Keep you posted,

Chris the weather nut

[edited: 10:43pm, Friday 29 June 2007].

Rain falling in NSW East, with more expected

2007-06-26T11:44:00.000+10:00

A trough of low pressure with a extensive band of cloud has formed off the NSW East coast during yesterday, which caused some moderate to heavy rain falls on the the mid-north and north coasts of NSW.
A couple of low pressure systems are expected to form off the coast during today(the main one is expected to form of the Illawarra coast, the other near the NSW/QLD Border).
According to computer guidance and BOM forecasts, the main low will move south and intensify, and is expected to cause moderate to heavy rainfalls over the SE of the state, extending into Victoria. While, the other other low, is expected to weaken near the NSW northern border.

This low, most commonly known as an East Coast Low by the meteorologists and weather nerds alike (that's me!) , will be the forth such occurance this month, and with this system, it is likely the Sydney Area (including the catchments)would recieve more rain, causing more run-off to the already saturated ground, producing more valuable run-off for the dams.
How much, will depend on the location, intensity and movement of the above mentioned low, which is expected to form off the coast of the Illawarra.

Will keep you guys posted,

Chris the weather nut

New Automatic Weather Station at Hay Airport

2007-06-26T11:01:00.000+10:00

The Bureau of Meteorology has recently installed a totally BOM funded Austomatic Weather Station (AWS) at Hay Airport (in the Riverina) in NSW.

This will eventually replace the old and obsolete AWS run by the CSIRO at their Hay site.
The Hay CSIRO AWS has been known to go offline many times and certain sensors (especially the rain guage, has been to go offline)

It was online from yesterday (Monday)

Rain still likely for Sydney and most of East Coast of NSW

2007-06-25T09:42:00.000+10:00

After several days of watching the forecast computer models and official bureau forecasts, it seems likely that Sydney, will recieve yet more rain, with possible moderate to heavy falls, according to computer guidance - the BOM still, however, only going for showers.
Depending on where this East Coast Low will form (which is the reason for this round of rain activity), Sydney could recieve heavier falls, but the BOM at this stage is only going for showers.
It is likely for the for the south coast to recieve heavier falls, however, again, it is largely dependent of the location of the low.

Will keep you informed,

Chris

Sydney City's Coldest morning so far

2007-06-23T10:12:00.000+10:00

The weather station at Observatory Hill, Sydney, near the Sydney CBD this morning recorded its lowes minimum temperature for the year so far.
It got down to a chilly 4.9C at 7:06 this morning, which is pretty chilly for the city!

More Rain on the Way for Sydney!!

2007-06-23T09:49:00.000+10:00

For the last few days (about 4 or 5 days or so), I have been watching the long range computer models with a lot of interst.
The reason being, indications from both the GASP and GFS (ask me later what these are!!) long range computer models began to suggest another rain system for the east coast of Australia.

I first noticed this scenario begin to develop when it appeared on Mondays models graphical output for next monday (25/6) and now it seems likely this event will happen.
The reason being is that both models have been sticking with the scenario (or similiar) since then, and so it seems likely that sydney will recieve some more rain as well as most of the NSW coast.

My own mental predictions about the outcome of this scenario seems to be right on the mark, as the BOM have updated sydney's forecast for monday with showers increasing, in this morning's forecast.

My likely predictions are for at least some possible moderate falls mond/tuesday then clearing later.

I will keep you posted,

Chris

Sydney Region/Blue Mountains region dams total water stored reaches 50%!!

2007-06-22T00:24:00.000+10:00

Yes, you heard correctly - according to the Sydney Catchment Authority's Dam's Weekly Storage Report ending Thursday 21st June, the dams total combined water storage has hit 50%!

The Warragamba catchment alone had a average 180mm in the last week alone, and at 3pm Thurs 21st June, 31,000 Megalitres was flowing into Warragamba!!

Chris

NSW Cold Blast Tues 19/6 to Wed 20/6

2007-06-22T00:19:00.000+10:00

As posted previously, there was the potential for snow on the tablelands (Great Dividing Range) to about the Qld border.
As most of you probally know, it did - snowfalls, especially in the upper blue mountains and central tablelands recieved particularly heavy falls. These snowfalls occured during the night of Tuesday 19th June and into the early hours of Wednesday 20th June.

As it was raining down in Sydney, the conditions were becoming quite cold. Sometime around 8 or 9pm it began to snow on the higher parts of Blue Mountains/Central Tablelands area, with the snow level gradually decending down to about 800m.
The heaviest snow in the central tablelands region, was in Oberon, a town south of Blackheath (which is west of Sydney), where falls of 10 to 15cm were reported.
The Lowest height of which snow was reported to have settled was at Wentworth falls, East of Katoomba.
The snow soon, began to settle, and as the night grew on, it began to accumalate, prompting the closure of main routes through the Blue Mountains and Central Tablelands, by police at around midnight.
In summary falls in the Central Tablelands area included:
2cm Lithgow
2cm Katoomba
8cm Blackheath
6cm Meadow Bath
10-15cm Oberon

Little snow fell on the Northern Tablelands of NSW, due to a lack of moisture in the atmosphere.
However, it was cold enough, epecially on the highest parts of the northern tablelands around Guyra (a town north of Armidale) for 2cm of snow to fall and settle during the night of Tues 19th June.

Outside of the Snowy Mountains, the only significant fall on the Southern Tablelands was at Taralga with about 6cm.
Snow did fall and settle on monday at Jindabyne and Berridale, but melted as rain came the following day.

Many new temperature records were set during this time, with a few centres across NSW recording there lowest Maximum temperature for June.

The Weatherman,

Chris

A Cold snap expected to bring yet more rain snow, wind and freezing temps

2007-06-19T00:11:00.000+10:00

During Tuesday and Wednesday (the 19/6 to 20/6/07), the 3rd ECL to impact on the NSW East coast in 2 weeks is expected to bring more potentially heavy rainfalls, snow from the Snowy Mountains and Southern Tablelands all the way to Northern Tablelands down to 900 -1000m.

This system has the potential to give the NSW Snow resorts a great boost, with predictions of up to 50cm of snow from this system, while with the help of a upper cold pool, could bring possibly snow falls to the tablelands all the way up to northern tablelands down to about 900 to 1000m, according to the BOM.
NSW forecast link: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDN10031.html

Will keep you posted on the outcomes of this event,

Chris the weatherman

The 1 in 30 year storm on the June Long Weekend 2007

2007-06-19T00:05:00.000+10:00

A massive rain and wind storm, known to us in the weather nerd circle and the BOM as a East Coast Low, passed close to the hunter,central and metropolitian coasts.
It formed further north, on the mid north coast of NSW, in the early hours of Thursday 7th June.
It first appeared on the BOM's surface analysis charts on the 4am of thursday.
heres the link: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/charts/charts.view.pl?idcode=IDX0102&file=IDX0102.200706061800.gif

During the next couple of days, it deepened quite significantly, though steadily and moved southwards slowly, staying close to the coast.
It reached its peak intensity in the early hours of Saturday 9th June, with its central pressure down to 998hPa, while of the NSW central coast.
BOM Mean Sea Level Analysis chart: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/charts/charts.view.pl?idcode=IDX0102&file=IDX0102.200706081800.gif

It was while off the hunter and central coasts during the 8th and 9th, that most of the damage occured - record rainfall, moderate to major flooding of rivers in the hunter valley and central coast, North of Sydney, and gale to storm force winds.

Record rainfall, with some records dating back to the first half of the 1900s were broken, with many centres breaking their previous highest daily rainfall for june.
Many localities in the hunter valley, the upper hunter and central coast areas had in excess of 200mm in 24 hrs!
With this extremely heavy rainfall in a very short period of time (most of it occured in 24 hrs or less!), came egregious (extremely bad) flooding, with the hunter river from Singleton to Maitland, having major flooding, the first floods of that scale for some time (last floods were in early 1971).
Other Rivers and river systems which had flooding included the paterson and williams rivers in the hunter valley, which for a period of time caused moderate flooding, the Wyong River in the central coast area.
The Colo River, of the Hawkesbury/Nepean River System, had moderate flooding as well.
Other waterways, including Lake Macquarie also had flood warnings for minor flooding.
In Maitland, the floodwaters from the swollen Hunter river, fell short of only centimetres, before the floodwaters would have breached the levee system that protected the town centre.
As a result of this very heavy deluge, the flood most likely killed thousands of livestock, flooded thousands of homes and alot of pasture land now unusable for many weeks, while it waits to drain away.

Gale to storm force winds, brought down power lines, trees onto houses and cars and thousands of homes on the central coast, Sydney Metropolitan and Hunter areas lost power, some some places without power for 2 or 3 days.

As a result of this storm, a coal freighter, got beached on a sandbank near Nobbys Head, Newcastle, and as this went to press, is still there, while a rescue mission is unfolding.
Also as a result of this storm, was 9 fatalities, including a family, whose car fell, when a section of the old pacific highway near Somersby collapsed, as a result of swollen creek underneath the highway swelled up.
Another man, who after getting out his car, was swept into a storm water drain, and drowned during the height of the storm on friday, his body found a day or two later.
Train services on the central coast were interupted for a few days eventually, after both a landslide and a tree closed the line on the evening of friday the 8th.

Summary
The toll (draft only)
9 dead
thousands of homes without power
homes and buisnesses flooded
potentially huge stock losses
a coal freighter trapped on sandbar

Will keep you posted on the aftermath,

More Heavy rain Friday night to Saturday (15/6/07 to 16/6/07)

2007-06-16T23:39:00.000+10:00

Well more heavy rain fell as predicted last night (Friday 15/6) and into the early hours of this morning (the rain woke me up at about 5am this morning!).

In Cherrybrook, a suburb of Sydney, where i live, had 45.6mm for the 24 hours to 9am this morning.
I woke up to strong winds, but the rain had stopped by time i woke up again at about 8:30am.
The winds were probally gale force at times, and eased during the morning.

The Sydney Water Catchment faired quite well with 43mm being recorded in the 24 hrs to 9am this morning at Warragamba Dam (SCA Alert) Automatic rain guage.
Most of the Warragamba catchment recieved on average (according to my rough calculations) between 30 and 40mm, with northern parts of the catchment recieving less. The previous 24 hour period ending at 9am Fri 15 June 2007, according to the Sydney Catchment Authority
(http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/dams/rainfall.html 'How Much Rain Has Fallen in Our Dams' page) had seen on average 53mm in the Warragamba Catchment.

The top falls for the period for the 24 hours to 9am Sat 16 June 2007 were:
(from both automatic and manual equipment)

112mm at Ulladulla Ap AWS [South Coast]
104mm at Robertson (Caalong St) [Eastern edge of Southern Highlands]
100mm at Fitzroy Falls (Red Hills) [Southern Highlands]
90mm at Sydney (Observatory Hill) [near Sydney CBD]
86mm at Fitzroy Falls Dam [Southern Highlands]

Flood Warnings for the Georges River at Liverpool and Milperra were issued during the day and night (the flood waters being minor passing through Liverpool this afternoon, and Milperra at 11:15pm).
A flood warning was issued for Hawkesbury Neapean Rivers downstream of Menangle bridge with moderate flooding expected, where the peak was being reached at around 10:30pm tonight.

Will keep you posted

Chris

[edited 11:42pm Sat 16/6/07]

Post on Last weeks wind and rain storm!!

2007-06-15T22:14:00.000+10:00

Yes, i have not forgotten, i will post it, sooner rather than later.

Thanks for your patience,

Chris the weatherman

Winter Camp 2007 @ Stanwell Tops

2007-06-15T22:12:00.000+10:00

I thought I better write something about Wintercamp this year, which was held at a new site, which was Stanwell Tops.
Stanwell Tops is just south of the village of Helensburgh, south of Sydney and North of Wollongong, but unlike Wollongong, is located on the highlands behind the Illawarra.

Anyway, the camp for me, was a good expierence to catch up with friends and other people I know, which if im lucky will see prehaps 2 times a year, maybe more.
It also was a good time to spend time studying gods word for a weekend!!
It was on the book of Joel, which is in the old testement of the Bible, and was basically about the disasters which was happening or were about to happen to Israel at the time.
All the while, for the Friday and Saturday, winds were howling, blowing branches, leaves and parts of trees off, and at times torrential rain!

Anyway, in Joel it shows just how merciful god can be - on one hand he sends these locusts and other disasters, and on the other, says "come to me" with open arms. Its really amazing!!

Apart from being a bit stressful at times, and the cyclonic weather conditions, the camp and camp site was great!!

Chris

Its still raining and more heavy rainfall predicted

2007-06-15T22:00:00.000+10:00

Just after the last tropical cyclone-like low pressure system of late last week (which is known in Australia as a East Coast Low or ECL for short), which affected most of the Hunter and Central Coast Regions as well as large area of the Sydney Metropolitian region, more heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous seas are expected from today.

According to the BOM, a low pressure system is expected to develop off the Upper Hunter Coast, which is expected to deliver more rain with moderate to heavy falls and possible thunderstorms.
While it is very difficult to predict where the strongest winds and heaviest rains will be, it is expected to affect the NSW mid north coast right down to the Illawarra, including the adjacent tablelands areas as well.
Unlike last weeks storm, thankfully the rains, are not expected to be as heavy, though flooding can still be expected, especially in the hunter and central coast areas, as these areas are still saturated from the rains last week.

Will keep you guys posted,

C

Major Rain Event and associated events

2007-06-14T19:59:00.000+10:00

Dear fellow chrisweathernews readers,

I haven't not forgotten to post a MASSIVE article/blog on last week's floods/rains/whatever else that was associated with the ECL that brought record rain.
Nor has it been a case of 'can't be bothered' (not really :p).

It's more the case of time and have been really busy in recent days - though i do intend to do some serious blogging soon!!

Thanks for reading,

Your weather guy,

Chris

33 Blog posts and counting...

2007-06-05T15:04:00.000+10:00

YAY - finally reached 30 blog posts - well, actuall there is now 33 posts, no doubt with more to come - and all this in less than month - is this a record?
Probally not, but is still kinda cool to think about...

Chris

The Story and lyrics behind one of my favourite songs

2007-06-05T14:57:00.000+10:00

10538 Overture (Lynne) by ELO

Did you see your friend crying from his eyes today
Did you see him run through the streets so far away
Ahh
Did you see him run, did you see him fall
Did his life flash by at the bedroom door

Did you hear the news it came across the air today
Someone has been found on the rocks down in the bay
Ahhh
Did you see him hide, did you see him crawl
Does his life mean more than it did before

Did you see that man running through the streets today
Did you catch his face, was it 10538
Ahhhh

Lyrics from the ELO Offical site Face The Music, and the lyrics to most of their songs can be found here.
The lyrics for this song and the Album 'No Answer' here: http://www.ftmusic.com/noanswer/lyrics.html

The song is about a criminal, who was reffered to in the song by a number (10538) instead of a name, who escaped from prison and wanted to be free.
This song was originally destined to be a B-side of a single by ELO's predessor band, The Move.

That was until, Jeff Lynne (ELO co-founder and future ELO Band Leader) suggusted to fellow ELO member and co-founder Roy Wood to add some Riffs which he was mucking around with his Cello. Thus, the new Band, transformed into ELO and The Move was no more.
The song had been begun to be recorded in 1970, while The Move still existed.
The song was released as a single in 1971, with newly formed ELO and got into the top 10 - peaking at #9.

It took 18 months to get their future band, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) together.
And so The Move, continued recording, to finance this abitious project.
Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan, all members of The Move, became members of ELO, as well as adding a Keyboardist (Richard Tandy), and Strings (Cellos and Violins) and later a new Bass Player.
But that's a new story altogether...

[edited 3:00 pm, Tuesday 5 June 2007]

Chris

Forecast Update from the BOM for the long weekend!

2007-06-05T14:42:00.000+10:00

The 11:30am issue of the Bureau of Meteorology's Sydney 7-day forecast, has been upgraded to rain periods especially for Saturday/Sunday
Here's a extract:

Thursday A few showers.City: Min: 10 Max: 18
West: Min: 5 Max: 17

Friday Showers increasing. Windy.City: Min: 11 Max: 18
West: Min: 6 Max: 16

Saturday Rain. Windy. City: Min: 12 Max: 17
West: Min: 7 Max: 17

Sunday A few showers.City: Min: 13 Max: 17
West: Min: 7 Max: 17

Monday A few showers. City: Min: 13 Max: 18
West: Min: 8 Max: 17

The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:15 pm EST Tuesday

Which is great - I LOVE RAIN!!

Chris

Showers expected for the long weekend in Sydney!!

2007-06-05T11:09:00.000+10:00

Yesterday's 4:15pm issue of the Sydney 7-day forecast by the BOM predicts showers from this Friday to next Monday!!

According to rain observations, which i do every morning at 9am whenever it rains, shows that we only had about 15mm - the opposite from March!!
It would be nice to see above average rainfall for june!!

The Rest of NSW

Meanwhile, for the rest of NSW, possible rain periods are expected around the end of the week for the NE of the state and showers for the east coast, however, it seems that the rest of the state will miss out at this stage.

The Resident Weatherman,
Chris

Calm and collected

2007-06-04T23:24:00.000+10:00

For once, the first time in a very long time, i'm feeling calm and relatively stress free!
Had little stress today despite working on in class on 2 assignments and completing a exam worth 50% .
Compared to yesterday and most of last week.. which was the total opposite!!
Even though i have assignments galore and exams galore... i feeling calm... i think it my be the fact winter camp is coming up!!

It just goes to show - that God is great and will never leave his people and he is always in Control!!

[edited 11:37 pm Monday 4 June 2007]

Chris

It was 40 years ago today...

2007-06-04T23:18:00.000+10:00

'It was 20 years ago today
sgt pepper told the men to play"

Anyway...

What I was going to blog about was that one of the most famous albums ever released celebrated its 40th Anniversary on Friday the 1st of June 2007.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was released on 1st June 1967, and was a beatles concept album. It was recorded over a 129 day period considering ther first ablum "Please Please Me" was recorded in a 10 hours in 1 day!!

For My Friends

2007-06-04T22:31:00.001+10:00

Hi people,

This is something that came to me in about 10 minutes in the very early hours of this morning and I was thinking on the lines of
how great it is to have friends, all around me, supporting and encouraging me (and for just being friends!) =)
Most of you know I’ve been going through a hard time lately – Family, God and friends have meant a lot to me

I was never very good at poetry – but here it goes!

This is for you guys!!

For My Friends (C.Handley)

Listen my friend,
Do you have time to lend?

To listen, on how life has been
For me
Then I’ll ask you, “hows it been for you?”

And we would share memories
And lots and lots of stories

And I’ll thankyou
For the time that you do
Spend with me

And still I’m appreciative
For you thinking of me
And I’ll think of you
As you do for me

And for just being a friend
I thank you, my friend

And forever we’ll be friends!

Showers and possible rain periods for NSW

2007-06-03T20:59:00.000+10:00

Another rain event is forecast to develop over the Queensland central coast during this week.

Over the past few model runs, the long range models have not been agreeing altogether, so i'll try make a very, very rough guess as to what rain, NSW will get, as the long models definitly agree QLD will get some rain, what is not certain is NSW. (Only God knows, really!)

My Prognosis:
The low pressure system couldform off the coast of Qld, or the other scenario currently presented by the long range models, is for a low pressure system and trough system to form in inland Queensland, which is good for the farmers.
This developing pattern should result in a low pressure system and/or trough system, later in the week, most likely thursday or Friday. It is possible for the system to travel south well in to NSW territory, whether it will off the coast of NSW or move south through NSW.
Depending on the speed and direction of such a system, and how strong the system is, NSW could see some moderate falls of rain.
However, at this stage, it is quite likely that NE NSW will have some rain periods and the NSW coast will most likely recieve some showers, most probally around the weekend.
Apart from these areas mentioned, at this stage, it is not likely that much else of NSW will recieve anymore precipitation from this event.
Some precipitation is still falling from the weak low pressure system, situated in Bass Strait, in the Snowy Mountains area, but is expected that it will clear by mid week.

Will keep you posted on the event!

Chris

I feel down and stressed

2007-06-02T16:51:00.000+10:00

I'm not writing this because i want to be noticed(partly,yes), it has more to do with how i'm feeling. Yes, everyone likes a bit of attention, but i'm feeling plain down, uptight and stressed for a whole range of reasons. And this is how im letting off steam.
got a test on monday worth 50% with very little class notes for the subject and stuff due in the coming weeks leading up to mid year. I've got stuff to do around the house,etc and generally not feeling very happy and probally tired as well!!
And to top it off, I have very little patience today for anything and been moody!
Thanks for reading this and sorry for wasting your time,

Chris

Yet MORE SNOW!!

2007-06-01T19:29:00.000+10:00

Yes, more snow, on top of the great amounts already this week that have fallen, is forecast for the Snowy Mountains this weekend.

A cold front and associated low pressure system, located on the 4pm BOM Analysis chart, near the coast around the SA/vic border, is expected to cross the southern inland on Saturday, increasing snow showers over the alps once more.
After the front has passed through, the BOM say a upper cold pool of air is expected to move over the region and expected to trigger more snow showers into early next week.
YAY for more snow!!
Pity its all the way down there!!

My Busy Weekend

2007-05-31T19:29:00.000+10:00

I know its well past the weekend and today is thursday and not monday, when i would have posted - but lifes been v. busy!!

On My weekend, I attended and enjoyed being at 2 Birthday gatherings!!
On Saturday, I went to Jen's Gathering at Fagan Park and had fun in the Sun!!

We had got up at 5:30am on Sunday to go to Dan's Gathering at Bowral.
Getting the 6:19am train from Pennant Hills on Sunday is a very strange expierence for me - this was probally the first Sunday at 6:20 in the morning that i had caught a train!
Seeing the Sun come up was pretty cool. The same can be said about the weather conditions at the time, being on Pennant Hills platform, blowing lots of water vapour!! (also known as smoke!!)

On the second train, which we took on our way to Bowral (Strathfield to Campbelltown), there was alot fog.
We encountered this fog around Regents Park which, at times, was really thick!!
And the train from Campbelltown to Bowral was really cool! It was a 2 car diesel railcar set.
It was already waiting for us when we arrived at Campbelltown! The seats were padded and very comfy!!
We arrived at Bowral Railway Station at about 9:50am and then preceeded for the cinema.
We saw at the Bowral Theatre/Cinema 'Pirates of the Carribean: At the World's End', which i thought was pretty cool - especially the 30 to 40 mins of it (won't say what was about.. don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it!!) =)
After the movie, we had lunch in the park at Bowral and met some of his friends and had fun in the sun there, too!!
I was really tired that night and Monday from my Adeventures!!

Sydney City Coldest morning for 2007 so far!

2007-05-31T17:48:00.000+10:00

The BOM's Observatory Hill near Sydney's CBD, recorded its lowest minimum temperature this morning.
It got down to 7.8C this morning at 6:52am.
However, this is far from a record breaking minimum - 4.4C on 30 May 1862 is the current lowest minimum temperature for May!

Mid Year Creeping Up!!

2007-05-31T17:35:00.000+10:00

Mid year is becoming ever so close for me again, as I in my 2nd year of a TAFE diploma in SIS (Spatial Information Services), leaves only another 4 or 5 weeks, and exams and assignments galore - I will try not too worry too much - however i know God is with me and i can only try my hardest.
Everyone who knows me, and reads this, could you please pray for me and my TAFE studies and struggles!!

Thanks for Reading this,

Chris

More Snow!!

2007-05-31T17:27:00.000+10:00

Another change is on its way, and snow has begun to fall again today in the Snowy Mountains of NSW.
At 3pm, Charlotte Pass (a ski resort in the Snowy Mountains and also a manual weather station operator for the BOM), reported snow and 2mm of precipitation since 9am, most likely it being snow!! This station also reported a 3pm temperature reading of -2C.

More snow is expected during and after this change, with a possible low expected to form over the weekend! Location at this point in time in unsure.

Wet, Windy and Snowy Cold Change hits NSW: Tues 29 May to Wed 30 May07

2007-05-31T17:26:00.000+10:00

A vigorous cold front and an associated rain band passed through NSW on Tuesday.
This system began to have a influence on the state, limited to far the western border areas of NSW, in regards to precipitation from about 5am EST, spreading throughout the day - where most areas of NSW recieved some rain (some more than others), by the time the front and rain band had passed through the entire state. The event concluded rainwise in the NE of the state, including the northern tablelands, on Wednesday.
Most areas, including the Riverina Rainfall area, the Central Regions of NSW (including the Central Tablelands) and the SE of the state, recieved rain, with many centres of these regions recieving on average between 15 to 20 mm. However some places within these areas recieved less and some missed out altogether.

Some of highest totals for the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday 30 May include:
69m at Thredbo Village
37mm at Batlow, on western slopes of snowy mountains
30mm at Thredbo AWS
28mm at Henty, SW of Wagga Wagga
25mm at Adelong, near Gundagai
23mm at Charlottes Pass

On the Wind front, The winds especially in the snowy mountains had been gale force since monday due to the tight pressure gradient, which was the result of the previous cold front slipping south, and a slow moving high pressure system to the east of it. To make this clearer, take a look at this Weather chart http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/charts/charts.view.pl?idcode=IDX0102&file=IDX0102.200705280000.gif).
Thredbo AWS, one of two Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) in the snowy mountains, run by the BOM, recorded 10 minute mean wind speeds of above 50km/h from 3am on the Tuesday to midinight Wednesday, which then its mean wind speeds eased, for a while before increasing again. (This was probally due to still tight gradient around the area)
The mean wind speeds increased for a period during Tuesday from 6am to about 6pm, being above 65km/h (gale force). There were times during the day where the 10 minute mean wind speeds were above 90km/h, and times above 100km/h.
The gusts recorded by Thredbo AWS, went in excess of 100km/h, with the highest gust from this system being recorded at 2:17pm, which came in at 146km/h!

Many other centres in NSW, also recorded strong and gusty winds before and after the change.
Bombala, South of Cooma, recorded a gust of 102 km/h at just before 7:30pm on Tuesday.
Forbes, Young and Condobolin all recorded gusts of 80km/h or greater, before or after the change.

Enough with wind and rain - now onto the best part - SNOW!!!

Snow began falling in the Snowy Mountains, in the early hours of Wednesday, after the front had passed through.
Snow fell as low as Thredbo Village, which is at a height of about 1360 ASL. About 15 to 20cm was recorded during this event, mostly after the change, as the air preceding the front was too warm for snow and rain fell until the cold air cam through the region.
[edited 5:58 pm Thurs 31 May07]

Full report on wet and cold change soon!!

2007-05-31T00:03:00.000+10:00

The report of the rain and snow and significant temperature drops around the state will be posted most probally tomorrow!

Blustery change moving through NSW

2007-05-29T18:24:00.000+10:00

Tonight, a cold front and an associated rain and cloud band is moving from the west of NSW.
At 6pm, as I write this entry, the rain band is currently moving through the riverina area of NSW and reaching the border area of the South West Slopes. Currently, the rain band is in the area bounded by the area just to the West of Albury in the West to the Batlow/ Tumut Area and Western slopes of the Snowy Mountains in the East. The northern extents, extend into Western Queensland, and of course Western NSW. It is hard to pinpoint where the rainband is in the central and northern parts of the state, as there is a lack of weather radar coverage. However, in the hour to 6pm, 8.8mm fell at Bourke Ap, further south in central western NSW at Condobolin Ap, 9.2mm fell in the same time period. With this in mind, the rainband is probally to the east of Bourke and Condoblin.

In the future, little rain is expected for east coast, as this rain band and cold front/trough system is weakening as it heads east. Snow is forecast down to 1200m in the snowy mountains as the change moves through later this evening.

Will keep you posted on this system

Finally finished Some Assignments!

2007-05-26T19:32:00.000+10:00

Hooray!!

Finally have 3 assignments for TAFE pretty much finished for submitting next week!!
Will be checking for last minute errors,etc but they as far as i can see they are complete.
Still have more to do though... Such is life!

Chris

New Automatic Weather Station at Narrendera Airport NSW

2007-05-25T20:16:00.000+10:00

The BOM has recently finished installing a new Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at Narrendera Airport (Ap) in South western NSW.
It will online 24 hrs a day and transmit data hourly to the Bureau by phoneline.

Rain Event Midweek 29 to 31 May07 - commentary and my prognosis

2007-05-25T19:37:00.000+10:00

Well, the models have changed a fair bit, with moderate to heavy falls expected only for parts of SA, most of Vic and Tas. The Southern border regions of NSW and the snowy mountains will recieve some rain. Possible moderate falls for Snowy Mountains.
Thats good news for SA and Vic, but not so much for NSW.

For sydney, its likely that we'll get some showers but nothing more, and will probally be mostly wednesday.

My Prognosis:
With the reference to the long range models, GASP and GFS:
Rain areas for parts of SA, most of Vic and Tas and southern parts of NSW for Tuesday and Wednesday - however which states where rain will still be a feature for wednesday is unclear.
Some showers for Wednesday for the Sydney Region.

After Wednesday, the models are not agreeing very well, so anything could be expected. However, cooler weather according to the BOM will be expected after Wednesday.

Finally got Profile photo posted!! And fixed photo bugs!

2007-05-24T18:34:00.000+10:00

Finally after about a week after i set up my blog, I set about to find a suitable photo for my profile, for those who don't know who i am or know my name, don't know/remember the face!! =) And I finally managed to fix up the bugs surrounding the visbility of my photo!!

I firstly edited from an existing photo, then posted by using my website space. For some reason, it would work for so long and then it wouldn't display anymore.
I fixed the situation today after twice using the link to my website twice and both times it failed after a short time. Not anymore (so far so good, anyway)

Chris

NEWSFLASH - More rain likely

2007-05-24T17:03:00.000+10:00

Hey peoples,

Just after i had posted about the fine weather, more rain seems to be on the horizon - according to my interpretation of the graphical output of two longrange models, the GFS and GASP.

My Prognosis:
Well being early days still, with the event still about a week away, this prognosis (forecast) is to be treated with caution - it will now doubt change (hopefully not too significantly - i want RAIN!)
Anyway, with reference to the latest graphical outputs from the two long range models, rain should begin to develop around wednesday/ thursday, spreading to the east around Thursday/Friday. Some moderate to heavy falls possible. The reason for multiple days for when the rain should commence in NSW is that the models are agreeing totally - the GFS suggests rain will start on the Wednesday, while the GASP says Thursday.

Will keep you posted on future developments in regard to this system

[post edited 6:27pm Thurs 24 May07.]
Chris

Fine weather - well for a while anyway!!

2007-05-24T16:40:00.000+10:00

Fine and clear weather is expected over NSW until next Tuesday (29/5), when a cold front will cool things down again - however at this stage rain is not expected according to the latest BOM forecast issued at 4:15pm today.
For Sydney, High cloud and fine weather for sunday and monday and a Westerly change and FINE weather Tuesday. Till sunday it is going to be FINE!!

Thanks Everyone!!

2007-05-24T16:21:00.000+10:00

Thankyou to everyone that so far has visited my blog and/or has left comments or both!!

This means alot to me!!

Again, THANK YOU!!

First Snow of the season in the Snowy Mountains!!

2007-05-22T15:40:00.000+10:00

Well the first fall of snow for the Australian Winter Snow Season fell yesterday (Mon 21st May) and overnight into today. Light snow is still falling - but the BOM say the snow showers will ease, and are becoming isolated.
The Perisherblue Ski Resort website (http://www.perisherblue.com.au), reported 10 to 15cm of fresh stuff and the sub zero temperatures will mean they can start snow making, Ensuring the season can start!!
The Thredbo Alpine Resort Website (http://www.thredbo.com.au), reported snow all the way down to the village, which is at a height of about 1450m above sea level!! They said they had about 1cm in the village and about 15m on the higher parts of the mountain.

A fair bit of rain also accompanied the change which came through last night - the highest was 33mm for 24 hours to 9am today at Grenfell. Grenfell also had a storm which accompanied the change.

Other falls were mostly light including (24 hours to 9am):
Adaminaby (West of Cooma) 10mm
Taralga (near Goulburn) 7mm
Goulburn (the TAFE manual station) 6mm
Blayney (near Orange) 8mm
Queanbeyan (near ACT border) 9mm
Batlow (on the western slopes of the snowy mountains) 8mm
Parkes and Molong (on the central west plains) 4mm

Source: The Daily Rainfall Bulletin for NSW at the BOM (http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDN60003.html)

Bad day at TAFE!!

2007-05-21T23:38:00.001+10:00

What a day at TAFE!
After beeing away for a whole week sick with a cold (that's 2 long days at TAFE!), Monday i caught up with all the things i'd forgotten about - assignments, assessments, exams!!!
Mutiples of these due in the next few weeks and not alot of time to do them in!!!

I did have one bit of good news - I got a B (70%) for a an assignment i handed in just after term started - which means along with the pass mark in the first test of the subject
I HAVE PASSED!! (THAT SUBJECT ANYWAY!!)

May's Tropical Cyclone Pierre No more!!

2007-05-20T16:26:00.001+10:00

Further to the post of the formation of TC Pierre on Thurs 17 May in the western Coral Sea.
TC Pierre has disintegrated, after coming into contact with a stronger wind shear environment, causing the cyclone to break down into a tropical low.

Feeling Better

2007-05-20T16:21:00.000+10:00

From about Friday Onwards, apart from a bit of a cough, I am feeling much better!!
That cold has gone and am phyysically feeling better!!

Thanks to all who prayed, that i would get better soon!
THANKS TO GOD THAT I AM BETTER!!

Chris

A Cyclone has formed in May!

2007-05-17T16:08:00.000+10:00

Today (Thursday), the tropical low which was mentioned on Wednesday, has intensified into a Cyclone, within the australian region (which is between 90 degrees East and 160 degrees East longitude) and has been named Cyclone Pierre by the Brisbane Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre.
It formed in the western part of the Coral Sea, and BOM expects it to intensify further.

Possible Cyclone Formation

2007-05-16T15:28:00.000+10:00

This is a bit of suprise - The Australian Cyclone Season, which runs from November to April, has already ended for this year and yet halfway through May, a developing tropical Low near Papua New Guinea.
I found it while looking through the most recent 4 satelite images loop from the BOM http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDE00900.loop.shtml, while looking at the low in the bight and came across this suprise in the Coral Sea - a developing tropical low. In May!!
My suspicions were right - BOM had out a Ocean Warning for this developing low to have winds increase to 30/40 knots near the centre in the next 12 hours.

Anyway that is my weather suprise of the day for me - wasn't looking for it - and i find it!

Updated Weather Forecast for Major Rain Event

2007-05-16T14:38:00.000+10:00

Updated commentary and Forecast for Widespread Rain Event Thurs 17 to Fri 18 May07.

The forecast has changed little since my last post on Monday- BOM is still expecting 'an extensive band of cloud and rain and thunderstorms ahead of the upper trough'(extract from BOM's NSW State Forecast issued on 1120 EST Wed 16/5/07) to develop and move through NSW on Thursday and contracting to the NE of the state on Friday.

My Prognosis:

With Reference to the computer models mentioned on Monday's Post and now the shorter range LAPS model, seem to indicate rain areas with possible moderate to heavy falls, especially inland NSW on Thursday, reaching the Central Coast (Sydney Region included) late Thursday early Friday. Possible moderate to heavy falls for Sydney Area (great news for the catchments!)
Rain slowly clearing from eastern coastal areas and ranges on Friday.
Showers to have cleared by about Friday evening.
View latest graphical output from computer models for Australian Region here:
http://www.weatherzone.com.au

Next post to include observations from this rain event!

Chris (aka cloud)

Rain is on the Way!!

2007-05-14T21:28:00.000+10:00

HOORAY!!

Widespread Rain Event - Whole of NSW Wed 16th to Sat 19th May 2007.

Rain is on the way!!

This evening, a low in the bight with an associated cold front is currently slow moving, and is heading east slowly.
Rain is forecast for the majority of NSW, from about Wednesday onwards.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology's NSW forecast, an extensive band of cloud, will develop ahead of this low pressure system, causing significant rain for most of the state!
The Sydney Area is likely to have a shower develop late thursday, turning to rain periods Friday.
The Rain should clear by the early weekend!

My own prognosis (forecast) :
With reference with the two long range computer weather models, the GFS (operated by National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration in the US) and the GASP (operated by our own Bureau of Meteorlogy, Australia) suggest moderate to heavy falls over the central parts of NSW on thursday into friday.

The rain band and possibly the associated low (this will depend on the track of the low) will track slowly east during Friday, reaching the Central Coast of NSW (including the Sydney Region) late evening Friday/early morning Saturday. The low will then move out into the Tasman Sea. Showers are a possibility for Saturday.

You can find the latest graphical output from these two models and others from the Weather Company (a Australian private weather information company) website called "Weatherzone" here: http://www.weatherzone.com.au

PRAISE GOD!!

[final edit for Monday 14th May07: 10:34pm 14/5/07]

I'm sick with a cold!!

2007-05-13T23:42:00.000+10:00

Hi all,

Well I've been dreading the day when I would get sick at a crucial point in the year as far as TAFE goes - 6 weeks of TAFE to end of semester!!
It started off with slight tinge in my throat this morning and more irritating as the day went on!
Then it hit tonight and it is not cool!!

And I have so much to do and already little time to do it in!!

Please Pray for me that I will get better soon, so I can get back to my TAFE stuff!!

Thanks,

Chris

Hello All!

2007-05-13T23:15:00.000+10:00

Hello All!

I'm Chris and this is my blog - my very first blog page and my very first blog post!
YAY!

Anyway, i plan to put my ravings of weather and other stuff (home,family and interesting stories,etc) here.
Please do come back!