Scientists are dismissing any link between weather extremes that have left New Zealanders shivering in a freezing winter and Europeans wilting in a su

Link between NZ chill, Europe heat dismissed
21 July 2006
By ANNA CLARIDGE

Scientists are dismissing any link between weather extremes that have left New Zealanders shivering in a freezing winter and Europeans wilting in a summer heatwave.

The MetService yesterday issued another severe-weather warning, with a polar blast likely to bring snow to sea level today, closing roads and putting stress on livestock.

Authorities in Britain have taken the rare step of issuing a nationwide health warning as temperatures top 37deg – with 47deg on the London Underground on Wednesday.

New Zealand scientists and weather forecasters say the climatic extremes are not connected, and Kiwis enduring bitterly cold winds and snow today are assured warmer weather is on the way.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said New Zealand had been hit by a "cluster" of weather events in the past month, but those conditions would not be sustained all winter.

He said the cold snaps had been caused when high-pressure systems hovering near Tasmania had clashed with low-pressure systems sweeping in over the North Island.

"There is no relation to what is happening in the northern hemisphere, and the hot summer in Europe doesn't mean a hot summer ahead for New Zealand," he said.

AdvertisementAdvertisement"We are part of the Pacific weather pattern and that is what determines our weather. It simply can't be related to the northern hemisphere.

"The hot weather there is caused by anti-cyclones, not a mix of highs and lows."

McDavitt said a mix of weather was on the way.

"There are a whole range of weather patterns at work, so none will dominate all winter. Expect things to get worse (today) before they improve tomorrow, and expect a variety of weather over the rest of winter," he said.

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research scientist Jim Salinger said experts agreed that the soaring temperatures in Britain were the result of an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, otherwise known as global warming.

"(Hot weather) is something we can expect to see a lot more of as global warming continues," he said.

British Government climate prediction and research scientist Peter Stott said Britain should remember there was a price to pay for balmy summers.

"As we go into the future, the risk of what was quite a rare event rises dramatically," he said.

"We think by 2040, a summer like 2003 (Britain's hottest summer on record) will be a regular event. Unless the world changes what it is doing, we are going to see these extreme temperatures very much more."

[link to www.stuff.co.nz]