Wild Weather

By Brock Stuart

Over the years, weather has been a topic of conversation. When you’re talking to a person, you either go “what a beauty day” or “such terrible weather we’re having”, or something along the lines of this. The conversation of weather becomes much more in depth when your business and livelihood heavily rely on the weather. Farmers in particular always talk about the weather. When it’s good and bad.

I have always been fascinated with weather. From a young age I have always seen and looked at what was happening above us. I have five weather apps that I regularly check to see what is happening. For fun, when I open my phone, that is the first thing I look at. However, when there is a storm “brewing”, I am constantly looking at rain radars. At one stage, I did consider doing a degree in meteorology, however, I would have needed to be super smart in maths and physics –which I’m not.

A couple months ago while uni was just getting started, cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread damage and chaos for the North Island. It was pretty terrible to witness when the sun was streaming through the living room at the flat. Throughout the storm, I was checking the weather every three to five minutes when I had the chance. What amazed me the most though is how the North Island at the start of this year had so much rain, but the bottom of the South Island was so dry. For example, at my place in Southland, in the month of January, we received 21mm. In Auckland, they received 539mm! The variation of weather in this small country of New Zealand is mind blowing.

Although cyclone Gabrielle was predicted by Metservice to be severe and it was, many severe weather events that occur are not predicted. For example, there was major flooding about two weeks earlier in

Auckland that was not forecasted to be as bad. But actually it was a very severe event with loss of live and property.

During December last year at home, Metservice and Windy.com predicted about 4mm to fall in a two-hour period. Instead we got 35mm in an hour, of which 29mm fell in 20 minutes. In other cases, the weather says we going to get 15mm during the day and you only get 2mm. When making baleage, the weather seems to be a nuisance. The weather says that you’re going to get 2mm at 8pm, but when the baleage is getting made at 2pm, the rain starts to fall when it is not forcasted. Now I know the weather is easily variable, but the amount of variation is becoming notably significant and different to what is forecasted.

Metservice does get a lot of government funding and windy.com is funded by its customers that use it. I don’t know if this is the cause of the inaccuracies of their forecast, but most will say it is due to climate change. However, weather is weather.

Weather has always been severe even in the past. There is real evidence dating back to 1913, where Gore had a massive flood, which effected the township significantly. We as humans can only predict the weather so much. In fact, it’s actually very rare that weather forecasts are exactly correct. For example, a high of 25 degrees might be forecasted. However, the temperature was actually 25.6. The wind was meant to 5km/h, instead it was 10km/h.

I believe that as the years pass, technology will hopefully continue to grow and develop, therefore improving the accuracy of weather forecasts. But for now, weather forecasts in my opinion are effectively a “writing guide” for what could happen. It can give you a rough idea, but it is never 100% correct.

How steamy are you in the sack?

Taurus

April 20 - May 20

You’re known for you love of routine, which means you’re looking for a relationship, if you’re not already in one. Mainly because you want routine sex. Not whimsical, imaginative sex; just solid, good sex, like your tried-and-true position; doggy style.

Gemini

May 21 - June 20

You do love a good quickie. Spontaneous sex in unexpected places, and experimenting with new positions is your jam. Your active imagination also means you’re likely to be a porn aficionados - so don’t be surprised if you find yourself paying for a premium service this month.

Cancer

June 21 - July 22

You’re after a sexual experience that is intimate, tender and gentle. A deep emotional connection is necessary for fulfillment. But along with tender touch, you’re far from boring. In fact, experimentation and an open mind are just two qualities that make the Crab an excellent lover.

Leo

July 23 - Aug 22

You want every sexual occasion to begin with appropriate foreplay and conclude with unforgettable and sensuous lovemaking. You won’t just have sex for the sake of having it. You normally avoid filthy sex; and quickies are your final option. You’ll need a great deal of attention this month.

Scorpio

Oct 22 - Nov 21

You just love going at it all the time. Day and night. Although you are picky about who you have sex with. Even if you’re attracted to someone, you’re not going to act on it straight away until you get to know the person and trust them. You’ll consider this in casual hookups too.

Aquarius

Jan 20 - Feb 18

You believe in developing a very comforting but extremely sensual relationship with your partner. You do’nt want them to feel shy and so you like to take one step at a time which is what excites your partners the most!

Virgo

Aug 23 - Sept 22

You try to give your partner maximum pleasure, by taking the process slow and enjoying every part of it, as you like to ensure that the pleasure is both ways. It is important that the act is indulgent and that you both reach the maximum pleasure in bed.

Libra

Sept 23 - Oct 22

You’re an intriguing personality that is both gentle and rough in bed. Sex with you can help your partner experience different emotions altogether. You like to stay in the moment and feel the sensuality in sex. Sex with a Libra will truly give you all the feels!

Sagittarius

Nov 22 - Dec 21

Sagittarius is one of the most playful signs in the entire zodiac, so sex with yourself is anything short of an adventure. Being a fire sign, you’ll want to warm up with plenty of foreplay before trying out all kinds of new positions.

Capricorn

Dec 22 - Jan 19

Sometimes you will surprise your partner in sex, becoming as assertive in the erotic realm as you are in your working lives. Your take-charge nature makes you a dominant partner. You become alive during sex and love to explore the body, both your own and your partner’s.

Pisces

Feb 19 - March

Pisces thrive within erotic experiences that are highly sensitive, sensual, and romantic. You are eager to be of service to a partner and seek lovemaking that creates a union not just between two bodies, but between two

Aries

March 21 - April 19

You believe that sex should be a soulful and passionate experience, one that requires sharing all of themselves with another person at that moment. Of course, your sexual experiences aren’t always so deep. You enjoy the playful aspect of sex just as much as the next person.

MRS OS

LUSA

DUSTY RAM HALLS

COMMERCE THE GROUSE

BENDER GROUNDED

IVY

RED CARD COES FORD

FAMOUS GROUSE

UNSCRAMBLE

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