The wild weather

This week the South Island Te Waipounamu of Aotearoa New Zealand is experiencing some dramatic weather.

One of the things I loved about living in Shetland was the drama of the weather. Huge storms, wind and rain, snow and sunshine; it is always changing and that made the light interesting and good for inspiration for weaving tweed cloths. The weather here on the West Coast is just as changeable.

Being islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Aotearoa is subject to the vagaries of weather systems that sweep in from all directions. The mountains that divide the South Island keep the West Coast warm and wet, while the other side gets cold winters and hot summers. The mountains also cause the winds to swirl about. Those from the South bring cooler air in while those from the North or the West bring warm, moisture-laden air. That is what allows the lushness of the Coast to flourish, as you can see the photograph.

This week the winds have come down from the North. They have brought warm temperatures, and rain. The trees have been stripped of their leaves and it is quite difficult to walk down the street without being blown along. Take a look at the wind radar map to see what is currently happening, and read this article from the news about the warnings in place.

It feels strange to have high winds with warm temperatures but one can never say that the weather on the West Coast is boring! Over the next few months, as we slide into winter and snow on the mountains, there will be plenty more inspiration for weaving colours but, in the meantime, we are staying indoors and battening down the hatches.