Liners' Photoblog
Norwest arch
Posted by Linerberry (Christchurch, New Zealand) on 12 November 2008 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.
The Nor'-West Cycle
The main rain bearing wind is the "Nor'-wester". The north-west wind evaporates water as it blows across the Tasman Sea. The wind, carrying the water droplets evaporated from the sea, is forced to rise up by the mountains to higher altitudes where the temperature is colder. The moist air is cooled and the water droplets condense as clouds. As the clouds get colder larger droplets form, until their weight means they can no longer stay in the cloud, and the droplets fall as rain. If the air temperature is very cold, especially in winter, the water droplets freeze and fall as hail or snow. Most of the rain or snow is dropped over the mountains. The Nor'-wester continues east from the mountains across the plains as a hot, dry blustery wind. You can see the marked difference between rainfall in the mountains and in Christchurch in the rainfall chart above. East of the mountains, across the plains, is a rainshadow area. Next time there is a hot blustery nor'-wester in Christchurch, and all you can think of is the swimming pool, have a look out towards the mountains. You may be able to see the storm clouds over the Southern Alps, or there may be a "Nor'-west Arch", which always means rain in the mountains.
North westerly conditions are often followed by a southerly change, which can bring a period of fine weather before the next nor'-wester.
"SILLY TUESDAY ANNOUNCEMENT"
Due to the Festive Season and Folks being busy, and hopefully silly, SILLY TUESDAY will return to full service on the 12th January 2010.
Until then...keep up the Silliness that has become Tuesday and keep thinking Silly thoughts as you take those Christmas and New Year shots!!!
Once again I would like to thank you all for the wonderful Silly Tuesday shots you have posted and to all who have commented.....it wouldn't work without YOU!!!! Thank you:-) from SILLY MAMA xx
© C.J.C. Photography. All rights reserved.
Please contact me if you wish to use any of my images.
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! and what wonderful colors too!! thanks for the background on the 'nor-wester'!! :) i just love these clouds -- and they make me hungry for fairy floss!!! ;)
12 Nov 2008 7:20am
@dj.tigersprout: Mmmm Fairy Floss....I can go with that LOL!!! Thanks dj:-)
Maxine from Rangiora, New Zealand
Fairy floss indeed. Gorgeous shot C, love the expanse of cloud, is this from your new bedroom?
12 Nov 2008 8:28am
@Maxine: Its actually from the balcony yesterday. Now I'm not sure its a true Nor'wester....what do you think??
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
Great shot Liners another great view from the new house
12 Nov 2008 8:32am
@jamesy: Thanks jamesy, I wasn't too pleased with the shot but just had to show the cloud carpet!!! Like I've asked Max...is it a true Nor'wester??? Or have i deceived everyone???
Catalin from Bucharest, Romania
Excellent shot, it looks so deep, like you can dive in it. I just love it
12 Nov 2008 9:44am
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
The north west wind brings our rain as well. And brings in clouds just like the ones you have captured so well.
12 Nov 2008 10:16am
kylie from Shanghai, China
Stunning Liners! Hope you dont suffer from hayfever as it usually follows a norwester!
12 Nov 2008 10:48am
Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand
Looks like the end of the world ;) very impressing this force of mother Nature and a great capture!
12 Nov 2008 11:20am
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
Ahh, this is such an amazing sky with lovely cloud formations. Well seen!
12 Nov 2008 1:19pm
Jeff from Pembroke Dock, United Kingdom
Magnificent sky...If this is a sample of the shots you are going to get from your balcony,your never going to go indoors...By the way did it rain ?. :>)
12 Nov 2008 3:21pm
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
What an awesome sky, it's dancing for you Berry ;)
12 Nov 2008 3:56pm
grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom
It could almost be upside down
I guess it is from where I'm standing.
12 Nov 2008 4:25pm
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Interesting weather phenomenon, looks like a ceiling.
12 Nov 2008 4:39pm
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
absolutely its a true norwester. Probably taken on Tuesday
12 Nov 2008 10:03pm
JJ from Jersey City, United States
what amazing cloud formations, I love how you have composed this so beautiful, and informative to thanks
ps my shot was from the North island yes in Rotorua area, havent been down South for close to 20 years, maybe will try and take my wife down there next visit
13 Nov 2008 12:19am
JoeB from Brampton, Canada
It is a ceiling of clouds, the bottom part puts it all in line.
13 Nov 2008 2:20am
Kathryn from Warburton, Australia
informative text! early this year when i was living on the west coast, i definately experienced the wet aspect of the 'Nor-wester'! boy did i ever - haha i have never seen so much rain!!!! lovely pic Liners!
13 Nov 2008 11:18pm
Sony DSC-H7
1/160 second
F/4.0
ISO 100
6 mm