The Science Behind A Gorgeous Sunset in Southeast Australia! (credit: Higgins Storm Chasing)4/17/2017  DISCUSSION: As shown in the image above (courtesy of Mick Loxley Photography) and re-shared by the Higgins Storm Chasing team, there was a stunning sunset which recently took place across many parts of southeastern Australia as shown in the photograph above which was captured over in Lake Macquarie located in coastal New South Wales. In regards to how such sunsets occur, they are produced from a process known as Rayleigh Scattering. Rayleigh scattering refers to the scattering of light off of the molecules of the air, and can be extended to scattering from particles up to about a tenth of the wavelength of the light. It is Rayleigh scattering off the molecules of the air which gives us the blue sky that we observed during the day.
When this occurs in the evening, the variable angle at which light reflects and/or refracts off of various particles suspended in the lower portions of the atmosphere determines the colors which are produced near the time of sunset on any given day in any part of the world. In areas where there are larger population densities, this often lends for more interesting sunset colors and variability thereof since there are many different types of air-borne pollutants and particles which respectively act to reflect and/or refract light in different ways. To learn more about other neat weather- and weather-related stories from across the South Pacific Ocean and Australia, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz
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 DISCUSSION: After being battered by high winds and heavy rain from Cyclone Cook, more wet weather appears to be in store for New Zealand (North Island especially) courtesy of another low pressure center currently off the west coast of the North Island. The figure above shows forecast 3-hour rain totals ending 6 pm local time Sunday. The color scale ranges from ~1 mm (light blues) up to 15 mm (yellow). Based on this model, rain is expected over most of the North Island during this time period. The cyclonic (clockwise)winds and circular rain band off the west coast of the North Island reveal the presence of the low pressure center. (For forecast rain totals for other time periods, see this website.) The rain should clear east of New Zealand by Monday night. Hopefully, dry conditions will persist for a while.
Disclaimer: The figure above is made freely available by MetService. Despite this, MetService is not associated with, and does not endorse GWCC or have involvement in how this information is presented. To learn more about other interesting weather stories from across the South Pacific Ocean and Australia, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Dr. Ken Leppert II  DISCUSSION: In light of recent tropical cyclone events threatening and/or impacting many parts of northwest and northeast Australia, many people across these parts of Australia have been wondering when things would finally come down. As these parts of Australia get further and further into this Easter holiday weekend, many will be visiting family and friends across various parts of the country. As reflected by the high-resolution visible satellite image (courtesy of the Himawari-8 satellite), there are finally relatively calm conditions in place across nearly all of northeastern Australia which is predominantly comprised of the Queensland province of Australia. Therefore, many people will be getting out and enjoying this holiday weekend with very pleasant weather across the region. Moreover, there are no current or lingering regional tropical cyclone threats at this time either.
To learn more about other interesting weather stories from across the South Pacific Ocean and Australia, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Impressive View of Cyclone Cook! (credit: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research)4/12/2017 
DISCUSSION: In light of the impacts expected from Cyclone Cook across many parts of New Zealand, there has been much interest across that part of the world to better analyze this system as it approaches this region. In that regard, the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (based in Auckland, New Zealand) created a high-resolution computer model simulation of Cyclone Cook to help project how it will most likely impact the region. As you can see in the high resolution 1.5 km model attached above (courtesy of NIWA), it shows #CycloneCook making landfall just south of Whangamata on Thursday evening (around 6:00 pm). Around this time, destructive wind gusts in excess of 150 km/h will be occurring across parts of the the Bay of Plenty. Gusts may approach 180 km/h along the immediate coastline. Hence, this cyclone will more than likely have major impacts across a very large stretch of New Zealand with some areas getting particularly rough impacts from this incoming low pressure system.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across the South Pacific Ocean and Australia, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: The Pacific Island of New Caledonia braces as Tropical Cyclone Cook makes landfall, after already experiencing flooding concerns amidst increased rainfall this season. Current data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbor Hawaii is indicating maximum sustained winds at 75 knots with gusts up to 90 knots. Winds several hours ago topped 85 knots which would put Cook at approximately Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. According to local news, flooding is expected to be the major concern in the area, with just light reports currently of downed trees but no major issues surrounding the storm yet. As deep convective bands are seen within this system, Cook is still showing impressive signs of organization. We can expect that flooding will be an issue as Cook couples itself with warm sea temperatures, with strong outflow, and its bands to provide increased precipitation, however the low vertical wind shear that had been seen in earlier model runs seems to be increasing which may stifle increased development in the system. For more information on past, present and future storms visit the Global Weather and Climate Center! ~Meteorologist Jessica Olsen Tropical Cyclone Ernie Makes A Statement Offshore from NW Australia! (credit: Higgins Storm Chasing)4/8/2017  DISCUSSION: Over the past 24 to 48 hours, a tropical low quickly intensified to a minimal Category 2 Tropical Cyclone and then quickly to a monstrous Category 5 Tropical Cyclone. Although this is a large and intense tropical cyclone, the good news in this situation is the fact that this storm is no threat to any part of Australia or any land mass whatsoever. The only impacts with the remainder of Tropical Cyclone Ernie's lifetime will be strong wave action and some mid/high-level clouds across portions of northwestern Australia. As this system continues to slowly travel in a southwesterly direction over the next couple of days, it will gradually begin to weaken down to a remnant tropical low pressure system well offshore from western Australia. Needless to say that this is "a breath of fresh air" for many people across much of northwestern Australia in light of the recent impacts from Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie across several parts of northeastern Australia. To learn more about this particular tropical cyclone, feel free to click the following link!
To learn more about other high-impact weather events across the South Pacific Ocean and Australia, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz 
DISCUSSION: As we reflect on the recent impacts from Tropical Cyclone Debbie on northeastern Australia, many people were living under the impression that the primary impacts from the remnants of Debbie were over. However, after Debbie made landfall in northeastern Australia and gradually weakened to a remnant low with just a plethora of moisture, the atmosphere had other ideas. More specifically, as the remnants of Debbie continued to push through portions of eastern Australia during the latter part of last week, heavy rainfall continued to ensure across many inland areas. Moreover, as the remnant circulation of Debbie continued to move off to the southeast and then east-southeast with time, it is now encroaching on parts of New Zealand. The remnants of Debbie are expected to bring a plethora of heavy rainfall and windy conditions across many parts of the island nation as described in more detail in the article above (courtesy of the Higgins Storm Chasing team)!
To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across the South Pacific Ocean and Australia, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz |
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