Discussion: Sydney's Weather

[rainfan]

For the remainder of today - cloud decreased making it a mainly sunny day with cloudy spells more so towards the south & just off the coast. Cold, dry southwesterlies gusty to strong at times especially in exposed coastal areas (which includes my home) easing towards evening. Min of 8oC and max of 17oC in the city.

Lowest max metro-wide: 15oC at Terrey Hills
Lowest min metro-wide: 1oC at Badgerys Creek

[rainfan]

Originally Posted by ATO2

Thanks, ranfan. The figures are quite fascinating: a little then a lot!
Another query- without going too much outside the thread- where does Sydney source its water supply?

Here's a link to a site that I frequent quite often -Home - Sydney Catchment Authority. Plenty of great information. Dams are suited to the W and S of the metro area. (Would certainly help to built a new dam right on the "wetter" coast strip on vacant land such as North Head but that's another story).

[ATO2]

Originally Posted by rainfan

Here's a link to a site that I frequent quite often -Home - Sydney Catchment Authority. Plenty of great information. Dams are suited to the W and S of the metro area. (Would certainly help to built a new dam right on the "wetter" coast strip on vacant land such as North Head but that's another story).

Thanks mate. I am getting quite interested in cities and their water supplies and waste disposals, especially because of the changing climates that we appear to be getting now.
(PS it just shows you what happens when you are laid up and can't walk around for a few days!)LOL

[rainfan]

Sunny start to today then cloud increasing to be mostly cloudy by midday. Cold with S winds, light at first then fresh after midday with some strong gusts at times.

Min of 11oC & max of 18oC at Ob Hill. Highest max was 20oC at a number of suburbs in the W & SW with the lowest max of 17oC being at Terrey Hills (N). Lowest min of 3oC was at Richmond (NW) and Badgerys Creek (W).

This month so far is looking to be one of the driest Mays ever. If the forecast "fine" conditions continue to the end of this month with very little rain then will might some records broken in terms of dryness. Ob Hill is standing at just 1mm & Rose Bay at 3.4mm. Driest Mays for those sites is 3.7mm in 1957 and 12.2mm in 2004 respectively.

Over the past 5 years more than 10,000 farmers have walked off the land due to the evil drought along with skyrocketing fuel & livestock feed prices. In 2001 there were 112,000 farmers; by 2006 the figure had dropped to 102,000. Some of the farmers have moved across the pond to NZ especially Taranaki and Southland for better farming opportunities & lifestyles (and where it rains regularly ensuring that incomes don't fluctuate extremely like here). Grim news indeed. I think in the future the SE of Oz as well as southern WA will no longer be able to sustain farmers as we are now seeing "negative changes" in rainfall patterns. The "arid" areas are creeping down S into fertile farming areas which has increased quite so over the last ten years. The La Nina pattern we had over Spring & Summer & early autumn didn't deliver as well as it was expected to particularly over inland areas of the eastern & southern seaboard.

There's talk of a "wet" June (to which I certainly hope so) which looks atm likely judging from current models but of course have to wait and see...

[rainfan]

Originally Posted by ATO2

Thanks mate. I am getting quite interested in cities and their water supplies and waste disposals, especially because of the changing climates that we appear to be getting now.
(PS it just shows you what happens when you are laid up and can't walk around for a few days!)LOL

You're welcome .

Did you have an accident? I broke my arm in several places in 2003 which resulted me in having to take 3 months off work so I very well know the feeling. I liked it at first because I didn't have to go into work but as time dragged on very slowly I hated it in the end as I was going crazy with nothing to do (I couldnt do much at all with my arm in heavy plaster cast for 8 weeks) and couldn't wait to get back to work - not very often do you hear people say that Come to think of it my family and partner couldn't wait for me to go back to work too

[ATO2]

I was very interested in your remarks about Australain farmers coming to NZ. I live in Taranaki and I can recall that a number of local farmers- my brother included- selling up and going to Victoria and NSW in the 1990's.

[ATO2]

Originally Posted by rainfan

You're welcome .

Did you have an accident? I broke my arm in several places in 2003 which resulted me in having to take 3 months off work so I very well know the feeling. I liked it at first because I didn't have to go into work but as time dragged on very slowly I hated it in the end as I was going crazy with nothing to do (I couldnt do much at all with my arm in heavy plaster cast for 8 weeks) and couldn't wait to get back to work - not very often do you hear people say that Come to think of it my family and partner couldn't wait for me to go back to work too

LOL! I threw a lump of concrete to one side and did in a ligament in my right knee. @#@!! I now have two walking sticks- one for outside and one for inside! Really annoying because I have so many jobs I need to do and the fine, sunny weather is perfect for them! Ain't that the way? Sitting down, I don't do well! At least now, a week later, I can hobble around.
Mind you, I got out of some show, I didn't want to see!

[rainfan]

After a cold & clear night with moderate S winds, today dawned clear and sunny, however an hour later cloud (stratocumulus) streamed in making for a mostly cloudy & cold day with moderate S winds fresh at times. Min of 11oC and max of 18oC.

Lowest min: Richmond with 3oC
Lowest max: Terrey Hills with 16oC

[rainfan]

Originally Posted by ATO2

I was very interested in your remarks about Australain farmers coming to NZ. I live in Taranaki and I can recall that a number of local farmers- my brother included- selling up and going to Victoria and NSW in the 1990's.

Yes I remember hearing about it back then. How times have changed today. The decade of the 90's especially the early years had plentiful/regular rainfall enabling farmers to harvest crops, make a lot of money and have a good life. Not like that anymore nowdays

Better in NZ of course - as someone put it "it's like winning lotto when the cheques start pouring in".

[ATO2]

Originally Posted by rainfan

Yes I remember hearing about it back then. How times have changed today. The decade of the 90's especially the early years had plentiful/regular rainfall enabling farmers to harvest crops, make a lot of money and have a good life. Not like that anymore nowdays

Better in NZ of course - as someone put it "it's like winning lotto when the cheques start pouring in".

Heh, heh! The farmers sure have a high payout at the moment. However, it was so dry, locally, that the season was blunted, with early drying off of herds and searching for feed to buy in.
Heavy stocking rates etc- fine when there is plenty of rain.