Here we are now more than 100 hours into the year 2021. Its considerably more than that for those of us living on the edge of time, the International Date Line that is. Therefore at this point, be it good bad or otherwise, the whole world now has a toe hold on the current year. A new year with an unfamiliar outlook. Leaving politics aside, because who knows what might eventuate on so many different fronts all around the world, the opening blog for this year is uncontroversially about the weather.
Very recently many star-gazers were privileged to observe a rare conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. It has been hundreds of years since these two planets appeared as close together as they were just prior to Christmas and it will be a few hundred years before it happens again. Its a phenomenon known as the "Bethlehem Star". However, this wondrous bright light in the sky is a predictable galactic occurrence and to stay on focus this blog is about the weather.
It has been a very long standing arrangement that the Bazflyers witness the close and opening of each year with siblings living in the province of Taranaki. This annual ritual has existed for so long it could legitimately be a tradition. The only decision for us to make is whether to drive or fly. The latter being our usual mode of transport which is where the matter of weather comes in.
As the old year was gasping for breath an interesting weather precedent for New Zealand was taking shape. Bazflyers could not recall ever seeing a similar weather pattern. A stationary high pressure system to the south and east of New Zealand was causing unstable atmospheric conditions over the entire country. Perfect conditions for thunderstorms, hail and very heavy rain. Now thunderstorms and hail are not unusual even for New Zealand but it is unheard of for such conditions to prevail over the entire length and breadth of the country and remain stationary. A fascinating phenomenon.
Bazflyers watched the weather system take shape which in turn prompted an early decision on New Year’s day to fly back to Taupo from New Plymouth, in perfect flight conditions. Retrospectively it was a very good move. An interesting aspect was none of the available computer generated weather forecasts accurately predicted the resultant widespread outcome.
Errors forecasting this weather event left the Bazflyers thinking of the year ahead and wondering about the efficacy of expert economic opinions, government decisions, or even dare we say, matters concerning Covid19. Much like weather, what will happen in 2021 is very much up in the air.
A rare and unusual weather system
It didn’t just rain, it deluged. Looking west from the Baz Base on NZAP
New Year’s morning view of Mount Taranaki
Flying up the Tasman Glacier past Mount Cook on the 2nd to last day of 2020
ZK-BAZ at Westport (NZWS) on the day before the last day of 2020
