Summer Watch 2013/2014

[nautonnier]

As it appears that the antipodes is of increasing interest I thought I would create a less Northern Hemisphere centric view of the globe.

As a first entry on the thread: Australia coldest November night in 40 years

"If Canberra dips to zero tonight, as expected, it will be the coldest pair of November nights on record.
“Parts of southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory endured their coldest November night in over forty years, with the region set to chill again tonight."

[douglavers]

My bridge club had some US visitors last weekend.

They are not having a good time weatherwise.

They were delayed coming from Queenstown due to fog, and most of them did not make it to Melbourne in time. They arrived to particularly cold weather [for us] - it has been snowing in the mountains. They were going to see the fairy penguins on Phillip Island yesterday - I seriously hope they took some cold weather gear.

They have just departed for Sydney, with a forecast of heavy rain and high winds, the first for months. They were going to the Blue Mountains - at least the rain will have put out the fires. Sadly, that formerly stunning area will mostly be a burnt out wasteland.

[sigurdur]

Yes. wasteland but go visit in a few years. The raw beauty may surprise you.

[nonentropic]

actually Sig about 3 months, those Eucalips are very well adapted to fire funnily enough. in fact some of the seeds are simply non viable without fire. What did they do before CAGW!

[nautonnier]

Nov 12, 2013 5:37:20 GMT nonentropic said:

actually Sig about 3 months, those Eucalips are very well adapted to fire funnily enough. in fact some of the seeds are simply non viable without fire. What did they do before CAGW!

Some species of pine require fire for their cones to open and release seeds. There are several insect species that have evolved to lay their eggs in burnt wood and can smell a forest fire from tens of miles. That kind of evolution where egg laying is specific and senses are developed to support it takes a long time.

[cuttydyer]

MELBOURNE looks set to shiver through its longest November cold snap in more than 20 years. The city hasn't hit 20 degrees since Friday and isn't forecast to top that until Sunday. Senior weather bureau forecaster Peter Blake says that would make it a nine-day cold stretch not seen since 1989. "At this time of year, to have an extended run of below 20, obviously doesn't happen that often," he said.



Link: www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/melbourne-tracks-towards-cold-snap-record/story-e6frfku9-1226757831772