Weather

Season may be a bit warmer than average but could still bring stormy and severe weather, says Phil Duncan.

The weather pattern at the moment is highly chaotic, dominated by major storms over the Southern Ocean, writes Phil Duncan.

Better news on rainfall, but low feed stocks signal tough road ahead to get to the other side.

But spring this year comes with a higher-than-usual risk of a snowstorm or frost event, says Phil Duncan.

We’re still in winter technically, but we’re seeing hints of spring’s weather, asays Phil Duncan. 

Specialist veterinary support will be supplied to farmers as relief is topped up.

Extreme weather claims ripple through system, causing delays.

Parts of Canterbury are now well below where they should be from a soil moisture point of view, says Phil Duncan.

Air pressure zones have been in no hurry to move on this season, Phil Duncan says.

Permission for post-cyclone recovery work ought to be extended to Tairāwhiti Gisborne, sector group says.

That is, says Phil Duncan, if NZ can even be said to have a proper winter.

Phil Duncan offers some perspective on what stratospheric warming over Antarctica may mean for NZ’s weather.

Teamwork helps Thomsens through Cyclone Gabrielle.

By the rumbling tummy of Phil Duncan’s cat, the seasons are changing and properly neutral, chaotic weather is on the way.

The same system that brings a sub-Antarctic southerly can usher in a subtropical northerly, says Phil Duncan.

The crazy weather pattern for this part of the world is entering peak turbulence, says Phil Duncan.

It’s no Cyclone Gabrielle, but some areas of Hawke’s Bay will need time to recover from the latest rain event.

It may have been raining, but most regions are drier that they usually are this time of year, says Phil Duncan.

A large, slow, storm-creating low is settling in for New Zealand.

The rainmakers now developing are a sign of more than just winter arriving, says Phil Duncan.

Winter crops are battling and feed running desperately low as rain shuns region.

Struggling against drought, low returns, and high costs, Hurunui farmers confront dire conditions, risking both livelihoods and animal welfare.

Dairy farmers are drying off earlier than usual as rain and cold temperatures affect pasture growth.

Low pressure zones are joining the mix, bringing some neutrality and chaos, says Phil Duncan.

Movement of stubborn high has both negatives and positives for us, says Phil Duncan.

We are now in the darkest three months of the year, writes Phil Duncan.

With winter almost upon us, time for rain relief is running out, says Phil Duncan.

OECD economic survey looks at country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.

NZ’s backlog of rain orders is being complicated by stubborn and lingering highs, says Phil Duncan.

Rural Support Trust hosts Drought Shout meeting amid dire conditions.

As we look at the weather maps there is life all around us, says Phil Duncan.

Government inquiry says Gabrielle and other events showed crisis response is not fit for purpose.

El Niño is fading, but it’s not done yet as far as our weather pattern is concerned, says Phil Duncan.

Farmers and ag leaders gather to share strategies for making it through into winter.

Falls very localised over 36 hours, and a return to dry conditions forecast for most in coming week.

Phil Duncan airs a climatological storm that has been brewing for years, generating much hot air and little relief.