I have set up this page to display astrometeorological forecasts for the Olympics in Sydney.
I have no real knowledge of astrometeorology, but do not dismiss it out of hand either, as I am aware that some long-range weather forecasters do use the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Planets as a part of their forecasting process, as do the shortwave radio propogation forecasts that are used by radio 'hams' around the planet.
I am fully aware that the Lunar and Solar tides that we are familiar with in the Oceans also have an atmospheric counterpart, and am not aware of these factors being considered by meteorologists - it makes logical sense to me that the changing cycle of Lunar and Solar atmospheric tides may have a profound effect on weather conditions. Some scientists also acknowledge that the 11 year sunspot cycle may also contribute to weather conditions, with times of high Solar activity corresponding to generally more severe / extreme weather conditions. The Solar activity cycle itself may also be in some ways influenced by the relative positions of the Planets, however I do not have enough information about this to comment further.
I have set up this page in the hope that those that do use the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Planets as a part of their forecasting methods will contribute their forecasts prior to the Olympics, and in this way we can see how accurate they prove to be.
If you have a contribution to add to this page, please email me at carls@qldnet.com.au.
Carl.
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 00:57:03 -0700
by Ken Ring
http://www.predictweather.com
Hi Carl
Here's my read for the Olympic Games time period, based on lunar movements. Permission is granted to display this forecast (along with my website address, of course!) where it would be the most useful, presumably alongside reports from other astromembers. But not good news, I'm afraid..
Sept 15 - Oct 1st
The period between Full Moon and last Quarter is the most prone to unsettled weather. The opening of the Games should be fine but a deterioration will probably set in a couple of days afterward. Five days of uncertain weather will follow, then a fine spell followed by a day or so of showers. The closing ceremony will be under clear skies again.
15th - 16th: - fine (an anticyclone sits over Sydney)
17th: fronts pushed by southwesterlies could spell rain
18th: wind change to westerlies, fine weather
19th -21st: - more fronts from the southwest serving up variable skies and
showers
22nd - 27th: - fine.
28th - 29th: - showery
30th: - clearing
1st: - fine
Ken Ring
http://www.predictweather.com
Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2000 02:10:42 -0700
by Anonomous Person - via Ken Ring
...1st week:
Full Moon 13th September 2000 Sydney
One Half of weather for week to next quarter moon:
4th house: no planet in 4th house so sign on cusp is Sagittarius.
Sagittarius: warm, dry, clear and sunny: pleasant, Indian summer, Jan or Feb. thaw.
Ruler of Sagittarius is Jupiter in Gemini.
Jupiter: warm, pleasant breezes, under right conditions can be a big wind, tends to dryness.
Gemini: tends to cold, dry, fair, clouds moving, open sky, fluctuations in temp.
Applying aspects:
Jupiter trine Mercury: warmer, fair, moderate
Positive: northerly winds, cumulus (fleecy) clouds all seasons.
One Quarter of total of weather for week to next quarter moon:
lst house: planet in first is Sun in Virgo.
Sun: warm, dry, calm unless in violent combination
Virgo: cold, dry, on the cool side with winds: blustery.
Applying aspects:
none except opposition to moon which is said not to count!!!!!!!
Sign on Ascendant: Virgo
Virgo: cold, dry, on the cool side with winds: blustery.
Planet Ruling Ascendant:
Mercury in Libra:
Mercury: wind, cool to cold, tends to dryness.
Libra: cool, lower temps rather than heat, airy breezes, favors dry, pleasant.
Sign of Mercury: Libra
Mercury: wind, cool to cold, tends to dryness.
Libra: cool, lower temps rather than heat, airy breezes, favors dry, pleasant.
Applying aspects to Mercury:
Mercury trine Jupiter: warmer, fair, moderate.
Positive: northerly winds, cumulus (fleecy) clouds all seasons.
Mercury Sextile Pluto: Positive: warm and strong winds all seasons.
One eighth of weather for week to next quarter moon:
Planets in Angular House:
10th: nothing
7th: Moon in Pisces
Moon: chilly, wettest of all planets.
Pisces: cool, wet, mild, seasonable: moderates indications, second to Taurus.
Applying aspects:
Moon opposition Sun: - but said to not count!!!!!!
One eighth of weather for week to next quarter moon based on Moisture Chart:
Moon is in Pisces:
election astrology: Moon in Pisces:
The general atmosphere is enervative with a sense of lassitude and tiredness. It is the wettest of all the Signs, exaggerated by windy conditions.
Moon: chilly, wettest of all planets
Pisces: cool, wet, mild, seasonable: moderates indications, second to Taurus.
So ANONYMOUS PERSON, speaking astrologically not mentioning the Moon once, would say there is no hot weather.
One half of chart shows warm dry and breezy one quarter dry cold blustery one quarter chilly wet cold windy.
Games start on 15th:
Aries Moon (as dont know time of opening cannot do an actual chart or look at aspects.
There is an ongoing Jupiter Pluto opposition which is said to relate to the growth of
international terrorism.
Aries is the fastest Sign.
The weather will be sunny, bright and bracing with a combination of warmth and movement in the atmosphere. This will be the most appropriate Sign for getting an enterprise off to a good start, and for a fast beginning. The quality will be right for forceful endeavours, such as racing, fighting and taking risks. But because of the sense of restlessness there is likely to be danger on the roads; impetuous behaviour will mean lack of consideration for others and it will be an inappropriate time for sustained endeavour, hard work and enterprises that are concerned with endurance and stability.
Anonomous Person - via Ken Ring
Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2000 11:11:23 -0700
by Carolyn Egan
http://www.weathersage.com
...Here is what I found for the Cancer Ingress chart transiting aspects. (I am looking at both ingress charts for this report)
The transiting Sun will land on the 1st house cusp of the Cancer ingress chart on the 18th and will bring the warmth and sunshine promised by the Sun, unless there are great contradictions brought about by the lunar phase chart.
The current Mercury ingress chart (for wind) is that for its entrance into Libra on Sept 7th good through Sept 28th.
The summary for winds during the period until the Scorpio ingress is: nebulous to damp winds. Variable winds, breezy, to stronger breezes from both north and the south.
A stronger wind on the 17-18th as the ruler of the 1st house sign Scorpio is Mars and Mars will square Saturn on the 18th. Mars carries winds from the west.
Mars/Saturn contacts have impacting results when they operate together from fierce/aggressive wind to the classic hot and cold fronts meeting to create a thunderstorm.
The Libra ingress chart
- I hope people will look at this chart for the wealth of mundane information.
Saturn at the midheaven:
- something serious going on in Sydney that will make headline news - that's pretty obvious.
Saturn is in a grand trine with Neptune and the Sun and better still, the Sun in the 2nd house of income! Yay, rah, rah. You will be making money my friends.
The Sun also rules the 1st house of the people, the common and public health of the country and it's people.
Mercury, also in the 2nd house is the ruler of the midheaven and influencial with Saturn and Jupiter in the 10th of national honour and reputation (also the ruler of the country, the president in your case). Rather favourable one would surmise. The games go well.
The chart indicates that Mars is in a separating aspect from Saturn (remember it happens on the 18th), so I fear there will be difficulties perhaps from the weather but also an attack on the houses that Saturn rules, 6 & 7th. The daily routines are affected, the working and service people and possibly the military.
The 7th involves people other than the natives - outsiders or foreigners with possible disputes or war like tendencies.
Saturn is in the grand trine and has protection or eases up on the possible harsh events that could come from the residing Uranus in the 7th.
If Uranus represents rebellious types of others, the trines to Jupiter and to Mercury diminishes negativity I would be more concerned with when Mars squares Pluto, then Jupiter on Oct. 2& 3rd, after the games have finished. Find out where those squares are angular and you will have a powerful event. Let's leave it that the Olympians and followers are represented by this Uranus.
Back to the weather.
The Libra ingress chart: indicates a season with Saturn dominating the midheaven - cooler than normal spring temps.
The Pluto in the 4th gives an intensity to the season and should bring on the heat as it squares Mars.
The Sun rules the 1st house and the Sun is in a grand trine with the Saturn and Neptune indicating more moderation with the cold and damp.
The Neptune and Uranus straddling the 7th angle gives backup to having a variety of weather conditions and temps during the season.
Overall, the Mars is the planet to visualize as it moves along in transit.
Mars in the first with Sun ruling the first is hot.
Mars also is coruler of the 4th and will square Pluto in the 4th.
Mars also squares Saturn, then Jupiter so the level of weather activity is pretty obvious.
However, Mars, Jupiter and Pluto together are relegated to dry conditions and they are in dry zodiac signs as well.
Saturn dominating the midheaven may be saying it is going to be very dry. Saturn tends to make weather more difficult. Again, bring in the grand trine - the dry conditions will probably not be life threatening.
All charts are for time zone GMT and coordinates are for Sydney.
Full moon phase chart Sept. 13th in Sydney.
Jupiter is in charge of most of the weather this week. Fair, dry, breezy with an approaching trine from breezy Mercury.
Sun in the 1st house affords a warmth; the Sun squares the 4th so warming may have come in earlier.
Mercury and Venus bring in breezy and moderate weather towards the end of the period but they do not complete their conjunction as they are traveling at the same speed. Mercury rules the 1st, in Virgo. Again, Mercury, dry and breezy.
The rulers of both 4th and 1st are planets that are breezy to windy and dry. The change begins to feed in around the 16th with probable overnight thunderstorms from 17-18th, then clearing to the end of the period.
Last quarter moon chart Sept. 21st in Sydney
The Sun is 6 deg. away from the midheaven but indicates that the region has sunny and warm weather overall.
Looking at Jupiter and Neptune for Pisces we find it is involved in an approaching trine from the Sun in 4 days, a day with some sun and clouds.
The Jupiter opposition Pluto suggests a warmth with intensity but dry as a bigger picture.
Aries on the 1st is hot and dry, looking at Mars enhances the heat more as Mars approaches a square to Pluto, suggesting a heat buildup and a natural tendency to promote localized scattered showers.
Note the contra-parallel of Mars & Pluto on the 21st.
The 23rd, evening or night may see a shower and/or t-storm as Venus contra-parallel Mars and Mercury parallels Pluto.
Another very moist event on the 27th, heavy fog or rain.
And we need another chart!
New moon chart Sept. 27th in Sydney
The Sun/Moon Libra placed in the 12th house, a few degrees from the cusp of the 1st house, speaks well for fair weather and the ruler of the 1st, Venus is square to Neptune which mostly brings on the moisture during the change over phase period.
Mercury is in an approaching square and suggests rain or clouds as well for the 30th and 1st, probably just a few clouds. How much rain is questionable as the overall season is tending to be dry (from the ingress chart).
I hope you can summarize from what I've written and to compare with Ken's forecast. I really have to get on to other things today, but this was fast and fun and we can all watch the results. I really hope someone will put in the last steps to a complete analysis and tell us what is going on with their Australia chart! Ken Paone, can we drag you into Sydney for a quick look?
See you later, Carolyn
by Carolyn Egan
http://www.weathersage.com
by Ken Paone
Thanks for thinking of me, Carolyn. I really haven't participated in the Olympics forecast up until now - not for lack of interest- but because I'm not that knowledgeable about the weather and climate of that area. Learning more about the weather patterns etc outside of the States has been on my to-do list for awhile but I haven't had much opportunity yet.
The Mars square Saturn period around the 18th looks interesting from the standpoint of severe weather but to what extent I really couldn't say.
Also on the 23rd and 24th Mars will quincunx (150) Neptune. An aspect like this for the States would increase temps and humidity.
As seen from the Solar Ingress, the transit moon will conjoin the Asc and transfer this influence to Sydney, however, I'm not sure as to what extent this will play itself out there.
For me, it will be a good time to observe and learn.
...
Ken Paone
11th September:
Anyway we had a cold night (11C/52F) and it's a cool morning - 9:45 am and the air temp is 15.2C/59.0F. (bloody cold IMO). In the sun, it is much warmer of course. Skies are completely clear, but have that slightly "pale" look, which to me, usually signifies a change in the afternoon. Forecast temp is 23C/74F with strong winds developing later in the day. At the moment there is a slight cold breeze.
Afternoon Update:
The forecast of this morning did pan out. There have been overcast periods, but no hint of rain, and in general it has been sunny. The winds are from the West - which for us are very dry winds, so the humidity has been low. The winds were medium - strong, just strong enough to make it a bit unpleasant outside, but not too bad. A few strong gusts.
Temperature reached 24/76, and currently at 5:30 pm, it is 22.4/72.1. BTW if you see reports with different temps etc., the weather in Sydney is variable depending on how close you live to the harbour. The Olympic site is on the Parramatta River about 4 or 5 miles from the actual harbour and about 15 miles from the sea. I live about 5 miles away as the crow flies, so what I am getting is what they are getting. The official weather is recorded in the city and can be some degrees out with the temps.
12th September:
'Morning Folks.
At midnight last night it was 14C/57F, and it's only 14.2 as a write at 9:30
am. Beautiful clear day, not as hazy as yesterday which means the strong
winds just may abate, although there is a brisk breeze at the moment from
the South West. Not even a wisp of cloud in the sky. There are fires - major
ones in Queensland around Brisbane, and a big one to the north of Sydney.
Afternoon Update:
It's been a glorious day, not a hint of a cloud all day. However a cool southerly breeze meant the temperature only peaked at 19.8C/68F. Humidity is low. current 5:30 pm temp is 18.0C/64.1F.
Mundanely very little happening. Haven't heard of any major transport woes today, but ticketing is causing much anger with people queuing for up to 6 hours and not getting any tickets, and ticket offices closing while there were still queues, and they had to call the police. The torch relay is travelling the Sydney suburbs and generating huge crowds. The excitement being generated will be at fever pitch by Friday. It passes at its closest to me (a mile or so away) tomorrow, and there is a bit of me that would like to go and catch a 2 second glimpse of it, if I can find somewhere to park the car, and if there is not a crowd of 10 deep in front of me, and I think I have just talked myself out of it. The TV will do...
The protests at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Melbourne continue, with Unionists joining in today. The police took a tougher line this morning so the ugly and dangerous incidents of yesterday were not repeated.
For those interested in added Olympic charts, the Olympic Village flag raising ceremony and official welcome by the PM took place at 5:00 pm today (12th), and there will be an opening ceremony before the first competition of the games tomorrow night (13th) - the soccer match between Italy and Australia - at 6:45 pm, with kick-off to take place at 8:00 pm, in *Melbourne*, not Sydney!!
And I understand that the NBC Today team are here, and will be broadcasting from Sydney for the next 3 weeks. I'd love to be able to watch that....
13th September:
'Morning All,
A cold clear still night - temp at 12:30 am 10C/50 F and at 9;15am is 12C/53.4F. It's a very still day, not a breath of breeze, and very clear. Skies are cloudless and very very blue, indicating that it will warm up quite nicely. Forecast is for 21C/70F, with slight south west breezes.
Violence at the WEF increased last night, as the police are not taking any nonsense.
Afternoon Update:
A glorious day - temp peaked at 23.8C/76F, and is currently (6:45 pm) 20.8C/69F. There has been no wind, but an occasional slight zephyr, not a cloud to be seen all day. Because of the clarity of the air, it will probably be a cold night.
Ticketing problems continue, with people still waiting for thousands of dollars worth of tickets they ordered months ago. Transport is in chaos, as bus drivers have walked off the job (that's a rumour at this stage) but as I write there are queues up to 500 strong waiting to catch buses to the final dress rehearsal tonight. On the other side, the tourists and athletes are apparently over the Moon at the facilities, the atmosphere, the friendliness and the beauty.
Situation in Melbourne is not pleasant with police taking a tough stand - and naturally being accused of brutality.
On a personal note, I caught yesterday's Today show (shown here around 2 am, but I taped it). I had to laugh at how the Melbourne people felt the need to defend themselves for living there - poor things.
I did not go to watch the torch go past, as they kept saying the crowd was thousands along the road. Melissa did though, and said it was exciting for 5 minutes!
14th September:
Good Morning
Cool clear still night, temp just after midnight was 13.6C/56F. 9:30 am temp is 14.0C/57F and the forecast is 25C/76F. I hate to sound boring but it is clear as a bell, no cloud or haze to be seen, and not a breeze is stirring. It looks like yet another perfect day. The sky is a very bright deep blue, and it is quite glary - something o'seas people are not used to, and probably weren't warned about.
On the mundane front, they are literally working around the clock to resolve the ticket problems, and the transport gripes seem to have been solved. The latest glitch is that they underestimated the number of athletes (currently over 13,000 compared to 3,000 in 1956, and more are expected in the next few days) and they are having to boost food supplies over the expected amount. But this is more amusing than anything else, it shouldn't be a major problem.
Also the first competition stated yesterday with 4 simultaneous women's soccer machos about 3:00 pm, but I don't know the exact time. And there were 4 matches simultaneously in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide (designed specifically, I'm sure, to make astrologers' jobs difficult.) The Melbourne Oz/Italy match kicked off at exactly 8:00 pm, and the Americans were playing in Canberra at the same time. (We lost, the Americans drew. I *think* they were playing Nigeria)
Afternoon Update:
What a day!!
Not sure what the temp peaked out at, but when I went out at 1:00 pm, it was 25.5C/77F, and in the sun it was at least 30C/86F - it was a hot day. Not a cloud all day, or the whisper of a breeze, and the humidity was probably a bit high for those not used to it (I didn't feel it as high at all). At 6:30 pm it is 24.00C/75F. There is a change forecast for tomorrow.
The excitement here is unbelievable. I just heard someone say it reminds them of what it was like when the war ended - there is that kind of everyone talking to everyone else, and common bonding. I haven't the faintest idea what other news there is - no one seems to care, least of all the media.
The cauldron is due to be lit at 10:00 pm on the 15th (tomorrow)
15th September:
(Morning report has gone astray - will put it here if I recieve it!)
Afternoon Update:
Cold! Well, not really, but it feels cold compared to yesterday. It has been fairly overcast with high cloud all day, although the sun got through quite often. But there has been a chilly southerly breeze - not strong but enough when combined with the cloud cover to keep the air temp down. It peaked out at only 21.5C/72F, and as I write an hour before celebrations start, it is 19.8C/68.5F. The forecast is for a cool night, and if the breeze doesn't abate it will be. However if it drops, and the cloud cover stays, it will be quite warm. There is no hint of rain.
Sydney just sort of stopped at lunchtime today. Everyone closed offices and work places, and it's still calm, but there is a real sense of anticipation. Sam Riley - one of our swimmers is about to take the torch to the top of the Opera House - that's especially for you guys.
Ok, I'm going to make a big plate of spaghetti, turn the heater on, and settle down with Chloe and Gus and my watch in front of the telly. I'll do another report when it's all over, with all the relevant times. At this point they say it will all start around 7, finishing around 10.
16th September:
A seedy Good Morning Folks,
Most Sydneyites are feeling a little hungover this morning....
A mild still night and this morning is warm and very very still. Again totally cloudless, but there is some heat haze. Forecast is for low temps and cloud, but I think they will be wrong this time. Current temp at 9:10 am is 18C/68F, and rising rapidly. It "feels" as though it is going to be quite hot, with some humidity.
There were no glitches with transport or tickets or anything last night (or if there was, no one is reporting them) and in general, he whole country is very proud of what is being shown to the world today in the form of the Opening Ceremony.
So competition starts in earnest. Perhaps the highlight perhaps being the Women's Triathlon, which is due to start in about 45 minutes. The Triathlon events have received quite a bit of publicity, as the overseas competitors are very concerned about sharks, which when it first emerged caused quite a bit of merriment amongst Sydney locals. However SOCOG has taken their fears very seriously, and for the past few weeks every shark in the harbour has been well and truly sent packing, even the little harmless Port Jackson's, and the whole area has been netted off, just in case.
There is also a Shooting Final today, and tonight the final of the Men's 400m Freestyle.
Afternoon Update:
My observations this morning were almost thrown out of kilter when quite a bit of cloud developed throughout the morning, but by mid afternoon it had completely gone. However it did not stop the sunshine one iota. The temperature peaked at 24.8C/76F, but was around the 23 mark for most of the day. There was a light breeze for most of the day, which stopped it from becoming humid. The current temp is 20.4C/69F, no wind and clear skies.
The day has gone very smoothly, with no hitches anywhere. The transport system has been working well - but there is still 15 days to go... The only cloud on the day was that Smaranch has had to fly home as his wife is seriously ill, but he expects to be back before the end of the Games. Mohamed Ali got mobbed.
Chris
Who is off to watch the Thorpedo win the 400m freestyle!
17th September:
Sorry Folks, I slept in!
It couldn't be a more perfect day here today. It was a mild still night, with the temp at midnight being 15.9C/58.2F. Describe exactly the conditions you would want for the day, and you've got them. At 10;00 am the temp is 18.2C/64.5F, a light cool breeze, which is just as well because it will be a warm one today. (Based on my living with our weather for a very long time.) The sky is really cloudless this morning, I checked in every direction, and there is little humidity.
Mundanely, all systems worked well yesterday and last night, everyone is euphoric. Except, as I have it from an insider, some of the volunteers who feel they are not being treated too well. They are working very very hard, but some feel their organisation is a bit of a shambles, and that they are being "forgotten".
Mrs Samaranch died before Juan Antonio got home.
GEOGRAPHY LESSON
For those that may be interested, I thought I may try to orient you as to where everything is happening in Sydney.
As most of you know, The Great Dividing Range runs down the East Coast of Oz, from Cape York at the top to just north of Melbourne in the South. In many places it is right on the sea, but mostly it runs from about 15 - 40 miles inland until it gets to southern NSW where it turns inland.
The Sydney Basin or Sydney Plain, is formed by the proximity of 4 rivers and their relationship to the Great Divide, which here is about 25 miles inland (My figures may be slightly out as I'm used to kilometres, and not a good judge of distance.) Two of those rivers are the oldest rivers in the world - the Hawksbury/Nepean and the Parramatta rivers.
The Nepean has its headwaters to the south of Sydney in the Southern Highlands (as that part of the Great Divide is known) where the Divide swings close to sea again (just west of Wollongong, where it comes to within a few miles of the sea). Instead of travelling east to the sea, at the foot of the mountains it turns north for a few hundred miles before turning east and flowing to the sea. At the point where it turns east it becomes known as the Hawksbury river (the first settlers thought it was 2 different rivers), and almost straight away becomes a huge magnificent delta, with fingers reaching deep both north and south. This delta known as Broken Bay, forms the northern boundary of Sydney, and is bounded almost completely by National Park, and isolated little communities.
In travelling north along the foot of the Blue Mountains, it cut off a still older, and dying river, as well as another smaller younger one, which as a result dried up, leaving only its already well carved out delta, This was the Parramatta River, and the Georges Rivers. The Georges River and it's mouth - Botany Bay - is the southern boundary of Sydney. The delta of the Parramatta River is Sydney Harbour. The Georges River has one small tributary emptying into the northern part of Botany Bay called the Cooks River, which bisects the southern suburbs and the Parramatta River has one tributary emptying into the Harbour about 5 miles from its entrance to the sea, called the Lane Cove River, which bisects the northern suburbs. There is about 80 miles between the Hawksbury and Georges River, (and 34 surf beaches between the mouth of one and the mouth of the other) and the city of Sydney snuggles in there. This meeting of natural phenomena makes our weather rather unique in NSW. We don't get as much rain as the communities only 100 miles north and south of us, and as the moist air gets trapped in the basin, it can cause some humidity in summer.
Sydney is shaped like a half cart-wheel. The hub of the wheel is the city itself and the Eastern suburbs. Parramatta River is the central spoke. Homebush Bay is about 7 or 8 miles up the Parramatta River on its southern bank, virtually in the centre of the greater metropolitan area. The 4 rivers have craved deep rifts in the landscape, so the metropolitan area is built on the ridges that have been formed between them. It is a far hillier city than is apparent from the aerial shots you will be seeing.
All the main venues are at Homebush (which used to be a huge abattoir, and before that a toxic waste dump), now known as Olympic Park.
However the Triathlon and the sailing are taking place in the main harbour, the cycling and running legs of the Triathlon taking place in one of the oldest and most historic parts of Sydney - what in Governor Macquarie's time was the governmental hub (still is) and where the free citizens lived.
All the rowing events will be held on the Nepean River, a 45 minute drive (nowadays) from Homebush, which will be very pretty, as they will be travelling along the foot of the Blue Mountains.
The Equestrian events ere being held in Horsley Park - an outer western suburb, which unfortunately is not really accessible fully by freeway, and actually will take longer for people to get to than will the rowing events.It is about a half hour drive from Homebush (under normal conditions) although probably only about 8 or 9 miles, if that, as the currawong flies.
Out of personal interest, I live slightly north east of Homebush on the SW bank of the Lane Cove River, and am 10 minutes from the Northern bank of the Parramatta River, under normal conditions, a 15 - 20 minute drive from Homebush.
Afternoon Update:
Er, spring seems to have gone..... today was a mid-summer day, with the sun blazing from virtually cloudless skies all day, temp peaking at 30.4C/86.5F. Current Temp at 5:45 pm is 26.6C/79.0F, and a haze is developing which indicates that a change is on its way. This is very typical of Sydney weather - for 3 or 4 days the temps get higher and higher each day, and then a cool change (usually in the evening or night) comes in and the temp drops considerably to start the cycle of peaking day by day for 3 or 4 days again. In mid-summer this change can be dramatic, up to 10 - 15 degrees.
There was no breeze, and little humidity.
On the mundane front, the scandal is the expulsion of the Romanian weightlifters - the entire team of 5, as 3 of them tested positive for drugs. Otherwise, all is going (too?) smoothly.
18th September:
This is getting boring.... Another perfect day, and will be hot again, but may not be quite as warm as yesterday. Cloudless, clear, no breeze, and no humidity.
A very small change from the SW came through about 10:00 pm last night, but it was minuscule. Temperature at midnight was 19.6C/67.0F, and didn't drop much below that in the early hours of the morning. Current temp is 19.8C/67.4, but it is rising steadily, it is already much warmer in the city.
Mundanely all is well. Systems all still functioning smoothly, and this morning was the first test of "normal" week day traffic, and so far no unusual problems have been reported. (There are *always* traffic problems here. Our peak/rush hour in the mornings lasts from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, and evenings from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm).
World records are tumbling. Mainly in the pool, but elsewhere too. It is now official that the Sydney Games holds the record for having sold the most tickets of any Games to date. (And, thanks to the stuff-ups of the past year, that will surprise no one more than the Sydneyites!!)
Afternoon Update:
You really just need to read yesterday's report - today was almost identical, except there is no visible hint of any change.
Temp topped out at 30.4C/86.1F. The sky has remained cloudless all day, and the humidity remained low. There has been the occasional very light breeze from the SW, Current temp is 27.8C/81.8F, and the breeze has swung slightly to the south, and picked up a bit - still not what I would call a wind.
Mundanely I have heard no news - test of transport systems will be as I write, as people coming home from work mix with those coming home from the games, and those going for the evening sessions.
The only thing I have heard today, is that crowds in the live areas in the city are getting so huge, there is a bit of a safety worry.
And I have to abandon my reporters detachment and say in closing:
GO THORPIE
Evening Update:
I have just caught up on the news of the day. The Romanian weightlifters have been reinstated, and had to pay an Au $90,000 fine.
There were very big traffic problems this morning from an unexpected source. The traffic getting out to the Equestrian events was much larger than expected, and even held up the Chinese women's softball team = which they said contributed to their subsequent defeat.
They are closing down one of the Live action sights at 11:00 pm for safety reasons, and its opening times will be reviewed on a daily basis.
Time magazine has suggested that the Olympic Games be held permanently in Sydney!!
(A suggestion not favourably received by too many people!)
{ Thorpie got Silver }
19th September:
Here we go again.... A clear windless cool/cold night, temp at 12:30 am was 16.6C/61.00F. Not a cloud to be seen again today, although there is a bit of haze around, which says it will be another hot one. There is no wind, humidity is low, and current temp (9:30 am) is 17.2C/62.1F and climbing.
Mundanely ticket scalpers have been out in force, but are being "swiftly dealt with". I *did* hear other news this morning, but was still half asleep and not yet in reporter mode - so I have forgotten it!! Perhaps it will come back to me before the pm report.
Evening Update:
Sorry everyone, I have been out for most of the day, so don't have a peak temperature for you. But as the temp is 28.1C/81F at 5:45 pm I would say it was a degree or two higher than yesterday. Unfortunately where I was all day was right on the harbour so it felt very comfortable, but would not have been what the temps were at Homebush. A cloudless windless day - the sailing has not been able to take place for 3 days because of the lack of wind.
Mundanely there has been a prison breakout from a low security prison not far from Homebush - virtually the same lat and long - and they have found the stolen vehicle they escaped in, but not the prisoners.
20th September:
Sorry to be late folks, busy morning. But I did take time to note everything first. A gusty westerly blew up in the evening last night, but only lasted a few minutes, and then the night was cool and still. Temp at midnight was 18.8C/65.0F. The 9:00 am temp was 18.2C/64.1F, and looked to be a repeat of the last 2 days. However a brisk southerly (cold wind, as against westerly which is warm) has developed over the morning, and this means that although the sky is clear, the humidity low, the temperatures will stay in the low twenties.
Biggest mundane news is the hijack of a van by two prison escapees, which contained two volunteers and two Korean officials. Although all were released by the escapees unharmed, the Koreans are not happy. They are saying that it will affect their performance in competition (they were officials not athletes), and are demanding upgrades in security.
Also this morning the first positive drug results from the actual games themselves emerged. One from a silver medallist weight lifter, and the other from a hammer thrower who is yet to compete.
More tonight
Afternoon Update:
A much cooler day today, although the temperatures varied from venue to venue. The brisk cool southerly breeze swung around to the NE during the afternoon, which lightened the breeze somewhat, and brought cloud in from the sea. Initially very high "streaky" cloud, as I write the cover is beginning to thicken, but there is no rain there I don't think.
The temperature topped out at 23.8C/74.1F, but would have nee a few degrees higher at the equestrian, shooting, archery, and canoeing events. It was ideal weather conditions for a change, for the sailing events. Current temp is 22.2C/71.8F
No new mundane events, but if there is anything on the news, I will do an addendum.
21st September:
Good Morning,
It's almost a relief to be able to report a different story re the weather this morning. The cloud continued to build during the night, and the midnight temp was 16.6C/61.0F, but there was no wind. This morning, as my car is wet, there was obviously some very light rain in the early hours, but by the time I awoke, the ground was already dry, and there are large expanses of blue sky to the west. However to the north and east it is still quite overcast, and only a weak sun is able to get through. It may be worth mentioning that apart from the Games, we actually need rain quite badly. We have not had any decent rain for several months. This September has been one of the driest on record.
There is no wind at all, and the humidity is medium - higher than it has been. Current temp at 9:30 am is 17.4C/63.0F
The gossip of the day is that a virus is racing through the Olympic village, and the secret of what went wrong with the cauldron in the opening ceremony has been revealed. The whole thing was computer driven, and a micro switch failed, requiring manual over ride. They had not had any trouble at all during rehearsals.
I also have some insider information on some of what we will see at the Closing Ceremony - but I'm not telling.
Afternoon Update:
A bit of a false alarm this morning, as although it remained quite cloudy before lunch it steadily cleared to be a fine clear windless afternoon. Temp topped out at 27.2C/80.1F, and the humidity was medium to high - the result, a hot day.Current temp is 25.0C/76.9 F, the humidity is dropping and there is no change visible.
The biggest scandal of the day comes from the French champion runner, Marie Jose Perec. She is the arch rival of Cathy Freeman - our champion 400 meter runner - who lit the flame in the Opening Ceremony. Perec has pulled out of the last 4 meets where she would have run against Cathy. Due to run in her first heat tomorrow, she only arrived yesterday, and protested strongly about the media interest. Instead of moving onto the Village, she booked into a VIP hotel. This morning she rushed from the hotel and boarded a plane to London, saying she had been threatened in her room last night. However, neither the hotel or the police know anything about this, and the hotel is one of those where the security is tighter than Buckingham Palace or the White House. She has been located in Singapore. French officials are saying she may well return tonight after resting a day (?) to run in her heat tomorrow, but they cannot say for sure. Speculation is rife, from drug problems to fear.
22nd September:
Good Morning
A fine clear night, with a wind change to the south just before midnight, but after a few gusts it dropped to a light breeze. This morning I can best describe as sultry. Today I can "feel" a change on its way. The sky is clear with some high wispy cloud puffs, but there is some cloud buildup to the North East, and the sky to the West looks "dirty". At the moment there is no wind and the humidity is quite high. Temp at midnight was 18.0C/64.1F, and is currently 19.0C/66.0F and climbing.
Today and tomorrow, transport chaos was expected, as 400,000 are expected at Olympic Park for both the Blue Ribbon swimming events and the opening of the track and field competition. Spectators were advised to leave for their events 4 hours early to make sure they got there in time. However everything has gone smoothly this morning, although tonight will be the real test as people leave from the day events and arrive for the evening.
Marie Jose Perec has pulled out of the games and gone back to Europe, but not without some controversy as she allegedly assaulted a photographer in Singapore.
Afternoon Update:
The gods are smiling upon us - a perfect day.
The air pressure and humidity of this morning disappeared by mid morning along with every wisp of cloud. No doubt it was helped along by a light southerly breeze, which kept the temperature down to a very pleasant 26.0C/78.4F. Current temp is 23.4C/74.0F and the slight breeze is still wafting the scent of jasmine and gardenia, humidity is low. The "dirty" horizon I saw this morning was caused by the smoke from a major bushfire to the North West of Sydney, but has not penetrated east far enough to cause too many wobbles in the pollution readings (which from observation seem to be quite low). From interest, in the past week, there have been more than 250 fires on the outskirts of Sydney, most of which fortunately have been minor, and brought under control very quickly. Those days when I have reported haze, that haze has apparently been smoke from these fires.
So far, so good with the transport system, and I have to say that today I was travelling the main Olympic route, and traffic was heavy but no hold-ups anywhere. Everyone is holding their breath, that in the next 4 hours nothing will go wrong.
The atmosphere everywhere is so...."up"! No matter where you go, there is a TV set tuned to the live action. Every shop has one above the counter, and every shopping centre has large screen TV's everywhere. A very large number of cars are flying the Ozzie flag, and all you can hear is either the Ozzie or American National Anthems, interspersed with the occasional Dutch Anthem as their swimmers provide the surprise record beaters in the swimming.
23rd September:
Good Morning Everyone.
After a clear cool night, not such a pleasant day this morning, although it very well could improve as the day goes on. It is the sort of day that Melbournians do like to describe as typical Sydney weather (which fortunately it isn't). It is cloudy, but the cloud is high and there is no rain in it, and there are patches of blue sky. There is a very slight south -easter which could hardly even be called a breeze. Midnight temp was 16.8C/52.0F, and the current temp is 20.8C/69.0F. The humidity is quite high, making the morning a little oppressive.
Two interesting snippets this morning. One - which many of the o'seas people will already know - is that the vault apparatus in the gymnastics was set 2 cms too low, causing many problems to the early women gymnast competitors. The interesting thing about this is that it virtually was not reported at all here, until some of the "talk" hosts started to comment on it. It is only really last night that the public were really made fully aware of it. The early rounds of gymnastics were not well covered here, as it is not a strong sport for us. This is causing a bit of rumble of "unfair, unfair", but whether it will grow into a groundswell or not, remains to be seen.
The other development I find interesting is that there is an imminent invasion of Bogong Moths. These are very large brown moths who winter in the Snowy Mts, and migrate north in early summer. There are *billions* of them, and, like all moths, they are strongly attracted to light. They can cause quite an unpleasant few days while they pass through Sydney - and they are about to. The unseasonable heat has started their migration a few weeks early, and a few were noticed in the stadium last night. The only way to get rid of them, is turn the lights off!! So, rain, hail or sleet won't stop the Games, but a moth just might. The numbers seen tonight will be closely monitored, and the cooler weather today may just slow them down.
Transport system coped well last night, so barring accidents, should continue to do so. Ticket sales are now up to 92%.
Afternoon Update:
The cloud of this morning gradually became scattered cloud, with plenty of sunshine, and that cloud now is very high "streaky" cloud, with an occasional puff here and there. The light breeze was from the South East all day, keeping the temps down, and it only peaked out at 26.3C/79F which was very pleasant indeed. The humidity remained relatively high, which did make it very hot in the sun, and much warmer at the events taking place on the western outskirts of Sydney, such as the rowing, riding and some of the team events. Current temp is 22.0C/71.4F.
It appears the gods of the Dreamtime are playing a little joke on us. They certainly have given us the perfect weather we have asked for, but at a bit of a price. The mountain bike cross country race was held today somewhere at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Unfortunately the Brown snakes think summer has come, and there were many out sunning themselves on the track, and in the spectator area - and yes, they are ranked about No 4 on the World's Most Venomous list. But they were all politely told to go find another sun-baking area, which they obligingly did, but I suspect there were still one or two very nervous Europeans watching the race, and riding in it.
The other hazard for them was nesting Magpies. Our Magpies are very large bids with a very distinctive range of calls, extremely intelligent, and rather aggressive. They are quite tame and friendly to humans, except at nesting times, and then they tend to dive-bomb any human (or any other animal) who comes within 20 feet of their nests. This can be such a problem, that in September/October, the children wear cycling helmets (many with large eyes painted on the back) whenever they are walking to school, or playing outside. I have no idea how this problem was handled, as Maggies tend not to recognise any authority but their own, but apparently they did.
And of course there is the Bogong moths......tonight should be interesting.....
BTW when looking at he track and field events - just look at the packed stadium, even for the early morning heats.
And some trivia for you. Every country has now won one Gold medal and the 1500 metre swim is the only sport that has been contested at every Olympics.
'Till tomorrow.....
24th September:
A perfect morning for the Women's Marathon, which started about 15 minutes ago. After a partially cloudy very still night, it has developed into a cool still morning. There was considerable cloud around about an hour ago, but it has almost cleared away, and by mid morning I should think it will be our usual cloudless brilliant blue sky. It is very still, but the leaves on my Osmanthus flutter occasionally, which says the breeze is from the south, but very slight. Humidity was high during the night, but has dropped and now feels very low.
Midnight temp was17.2C/62.1F, and current temp is 18.8C/65.0F.
The crowds in the last 2 days at Olympic Park have topped the 400,000 mark, and when you add to that spectators at t the other venues, well over 500,000 just yesterday! Not only that, they got there, and home again, uneventfully. Organisers are worried - something *has* to go wrong.
A Ugandan athlete has been arrested for sexual assault.
The Bogongs were out last night, and if you watch the Day 8 track finals, look closely, and you will see them fluttering around the camera. In an effort to combat them they were turning the floodlights off early last night. We'll see tonight if that worked or not. As this has been advertised as "The Green Games", there is very little they can do.
Also a congratulations to Australia, America and The Netherlands, who have been fighting very hard for 20 years to have women's water polo included in the Games, and in 2000 they succeeded. The result was an unbelievable nail biter of a final last night, and it is fitting and proper that Oz and the US got the Gold and Silver, and The Netherlands just got pipped for the Bronze.
And don't miss the trampolining either - it's fantastic.
Afternoon Update:
The long forecast change has arrived! After a beautiful morning and early afternoon, heavy clouds began to roll in from the North. As I write (6:10 pm), it is very gloomy out there indeed, and there's definitely rain in those clouds. Whether it holds off until after the track events, remains to be seen - it could. The clouds are still well to the North - over Homebush it is overcast, but the cloud is high, and the wind is from the North East. Temp only peaked at 23.6C/ 74F, and current temp is 20.2C/68.1F.
Now the swimming is over, our athletes are teaching the o'seas athletes (especially the Dutch) how to party - very effectively! Apparently the city really swung last night, but there were no incidents.
The tissue moment for today has to go to East Timor, who if you'll remember sent three "independent" athletes Their lone woman athlete ran in the marathon this morning, finishing 45 minutes after the winner, and falling to her knees waving to the crowd when she came into the stadium. Unfortunately she still had another lap to run - which she did when told by the officials, to enormous cheers from the 80,000 strong crowd.
25th September:
Good Morning,
What a wild and woolly night it was last night! After my pm report, the wind steadily increased, until about 7 when it was quite gusty and strong - I couldn't pin down where it was coming from! It felt like the south, (it was cold) but the trees were indicating more to the south west. As I watched TV, around 7:45 pm, the heavens opened over Homebush - but not over me, and I'm only 5 miles away. I got nothing while they got drenched. The downpour was over an hour later as the wind dropped, and then I got a light rain which dampened the ground, and that's all. However when I went to sleep, rain was falling lightly but steadily. Midnight temp was 15.9C/59.0F, a cold night.
This morning the sky is uniformly grey, and it is cold. 16.4C/61.0F. Reports are that as I write there is some light drizzle at Homebush and out at Penrith (rowing etc..) but none here yet. There is no wind.
At least the rain and cooler temperatures took care of the Bogongs!!
Afternoon Update:
A very grey day. And cold. A real return to winter that will only be temporary I hope. The heavy sky just "sat" all day. It lightened a little in the early afternoon, but not enough to let the sun through. There has been no rain all day, although it does look at the moment as though another downpour could happen at any minute. If it does, I hope it's over me, and not the Stadium (my garden needs it). Temperature topped out at only 19.8C/67.4 F. There has been little, if any, wind. Current temp is 18.6C/65.0F and the air is still and heavy.
Nothing much to report today. I have now spoken to several people who have been to the events, and without exception they have all described it as fantastic - from transport to atmosphere. My sister even sat through 2 hours of Badminton between Korea and China and said she loved every minute of it. From what I see the crowds are getting louder and even more enthusiastic, and I would say by next Sunday, they will be totally over the top.
There has been a little scandal, in that an American team doctor came out saying that at the Seoul Olympics, quite a few American athletes' positive drug tests were just quietly ignored. General opinion? "tsk tsk, that was years ago, forget it." It has failed to get the headline attention I think it was supposed to.
Someone asked about the costumes of the medal assistants. They are wearing the traditional Akubra - the hat - and also the traditional warm coat, known as a Dry'z'a bone". It's designed to keep inclement weather off stockmen. It's design is as distinctive and as Australian as the Digger's hat or the Akubra.
BS - off to put on her sheepskin boots and put on the heater.
26th September:
Good Morning,
The clouds cleared during the night, which was a cool still one with a midnight temp of 17.0C/62.1F. However the clouds have not gone away, and although early this morning it was sunny, right now (9:45 am) it is overcast again, but the cloud is very high so far, and not very thick. However the sun is weakly getting through occasionally. The light breeze is from the south, and I guess the humidity must be high with that cloud, but it doesn't feel that way. Current temp is 19.2C/66.1F.
As I mentioned once before, these Games from the start have been dubbed "The Green Games", because of the efforts of the organisers to preserve the wildlife of Homebush Bay, and also the way they used construction materials. In this vein, all that rain that fell on the stadium on Sunday night, was collected in giant tanks beneath the stadium - all rain on the Homebush venues is collected, and the water recycled through the fountains, the watering systems, and finally the toilets, so that there is as little as possible drain on the reservoirs. So we have probably seen that huge Opening waterfall, over and over again without knowing it.
Afternoon Update:
Not a nice day. In fact it was another winter's day, which felt as though the temperature was dropping rather than rising. In fact the rain came in the morning, steadily dropping until early afternoon when it petered out to just an occasional spotting. The sky remained overcast all day. Fortunately there was only an occasional gust of wind accompanying the heavier downpours, otherwise there was only a light breeze from the SW. The temperature *bottomed* out around 16C/60F, but as the rain slowed, it began to rise again. Current temp is 19.8C/67.4F and there is a light spotting of rain. However there are very black clouds coming up from the south, which I expect to hit the Homebush stadium around 7 tonight.
The Romanian girl who won Gold in the Gymnastics has been stripped of her medal, because she took prohibited flu meds prescribed by her doctor. He has been suspended for a year I think it is.
The feature event held today, was the Women's Road Bike race. This - as will be the men's tomorrow - is being held in the eastern suburbs, along one of the southern beaches, two down from Bondi where the Beach Volley Ball is being held. The climate there is quite different to what it is here. Warmer and wetter. There are a few features to watch out for which may make watching it a little more interesting for you.
This was one of the areas badly hit by the hail storm that almost destroyed eastern Sydney a few years ago.
When the riders are going through Centennial Park, note how brown the grass areas are. This is because we are in a bit of a drought at the moment (localised). Also see if you can pick out the Moreton Bay Figs. These are wonderful huge trees unique to the Sydney coastal area and beloved by Flying Foxes, birds and possums, with massive aerial roots that become part of the base of the tree. These trees are hundreds of years old, and quite a few of them had to go when the Bridge freeway system was built - much to the disgust and sadness of the locals. Fortunately stands of them have been preserved in all the large park areas.
And finally, Sydney is noted for its red roofs. Many tourists comment on them (we take them for granted - most roofs are red terra cotta tile (except mine which is green terra cotta tile) and you will see a good example of this from the helicopter shots.
27th September:
Sorry this is late folks, but this morning I did my bit for the Olympics -
going around to my son's before 7:00 am (yes, I said 7) to babysit while he
and his wife went to a hockey match between two countries they'd never heard
of.
It was a dreadful night. At 9 pm an electrical storm blew up with drum rolls
of thunder and sheet lightening that lit everything as though it were
daylight. The rain held off for a while, but when it did come, it was very
heavy before the storm passed around 10, and it settled into steady showers
overnight. The temp at midnight was 17.2C/62.4F, there was a light wind from
the South West, and the humidity was high. Although a last look outside
revealed a clear sky with patches of puffy cloud, scudding across it.
However by this morning the rain bearing cloud had settled in again. It was
very dismal and gloomy and it was raining fairly heavily. The humidity was
very high, making the early morning extremely unpleasant. Temp at 9:00 am
was 20.2C/68.2F, (I took a thermometer with me <g>) and there was no wind.
It looked as though we were in for a miserable day...
Afternoon Update:
Last week, the Dreamtime gods showed the world the best of Sydney's weather, now they are showing the worst of it. The cloud and accompanying rain steadily cleared during the morning, so that by lunch time there was not a cloud in the sky, the sun was shining brightly, and there was a light SW breeze - and the temperature soared. Obviously it was rather steamy, but because of the breeze it wasn't at all uncomfortable. The temperature topped out in the late afternoon at 29C/85F. However as I write, the clouds are rolling in once again from the South, the wind has dropped, and it is still very hot - current temp 27.2C/80.1F. There is the heavy feeling in the air that causes the amateur weather sages such as myself to mutter darkly, "we're in for a storm tonight!"
I have no Olympic gossip for you tonight, as I succumbed and recovered from the combination of a sleepless night, thanks to Flying Foxes quarrelling over the mulberries just outside my bedroom window all bloody night, a disgustingly early morning awakening, and baby-sitting a Scorpio/Capricorn/Gemini for 5 hours, by sleeping for much of the afternoon. (*You* try convincing that two year old combination that the dog water is for the dog to drink, not her, or that there really is nothing in that top cupboard that would interest her!)
28th September:
The storms and rain held off last night, and apart from a bit of humidity it was a still, pleasant night, with the temp at midnight being 20.0C/67.8F. However in the early hours of the morning it started to rain quite heavily and steadily - a good soaking rain - and the scene that greeted me when I woke up was of a very dark and wet day indeed. However there is no wind. A half hour or so ago there was some rolling thunder, but that seems to have disappeared. As I write the cloud is becoming more patchy, but it is still raining, although relatively lightly, and there is no wind. Current temp is 19.8C/67.4F.
Whilst trying to decide whether or not to get up today (as if I had a choice), I did hear a few snippets that might interest you. As you know, the IOC stripped the Gold medal from the Romanian gymnast, because her doctor prescribed flu tablets for her. He has been banned from the next two Olympics. She took the decision to court, and not only the entire population, but the IOC has even publicly said that although they had no choice but to do what they did, but they are hoping the court will overthrow their decision. We will know at 3 this afternoon.
NBC are getting the poorest ratings for their TV coverage, they have ever had. The American population is not happy with delayed broadcasts, and are turning to the radio and the Internet, rather than wait for the evening TV. NBC is now worried because the Athens Games will also be outside American Time Zones, and they planned to do the same thing. They have spent a staggering amount of money of the TV rights to these and the Athens Games, and are losing it steadily.
Everything in the Olympic village - from McDonalds to condoms - is absolutely free of charge. The athletes can have what they want, when they want it. Up until last night, they had used 30,000 condoms, and officials are expecting that number to double in the next 3 days as the team sports, track and field wind up.
Afternoon Update:
The rain stopped and the clouds cleared away during the morning and early afternoon, to give a magnificent day. The temperature topped out at 26.8C/80.0 F, and there was a light breeze, but it was a changeable one. Apparently the wind shifted quite considerably throughout the afternoon. Because of all the previous rain, the humidity was high, and the atmosphere was, and is, very steamy. As I write there is not a cloud to be seen, but the horizon is a bit dirty, so there may be more storms coming in. There is a light breeze, and current temp is 23.2C/73.0F.
News of the day is that the court of appeal upheld the IOC ruling on the Romanian gymnast, and it now appears that her career is over, as the Romanian gymnastics board bans anyone with positive drug tests, forever. The other Romanian gymnasts may give back their medals in protest.
29th September:
Good Morning All,
And a beautiful one it is too. It appears we have come full circle back to the good weather. The night was a still and cloudy one, from what I could see it was totally overcast. But there was no rain. I gather it was very foggy out west around the kayaking first thing this morning, but as I write the sky is blue, there's not a cloud in sight, and there is no wind - all of which adds up to a hot one! Temp at midnight was 19.2C/66.1F, and is currently 20.0C/67.8F and the humidity is high.
Nothing too much to report. Whether all those condoms had anything to do with it or not I don't know, but there is at least one marriage to come out of these games (between the Irish runner and the French hurdler). I notice the crowds are finding it harder to summon up the same degree of the noisy enthusiasm they had this time last week. But apart from the usual discussion about drugs (19 caught so far) all is fairly quiet.
Afternoon Update:
I was wrong. It has not been a pleasant day at all, and I'm convinced the Dreamtime gods are laughing their heads off! When I wrote this morning the temperature was, as usual, climbing. But today it didn't stop!! With the aid of a strong Westerly breeze, which ultimately turned into a gusty westerly wind by late afternoon, the thermometer just kept going, finally topping out at 4:00 pm at 35.6C/95.8F. I would have not liked to have been an athlete - it was exhausting just doing the slow 15 metre walk from computer to kettle and back once every 90 minutes or so! Fortunately the skies remained clear and the humidity dropped considerably, but the bite of the Sun was vicious. As I write the wind has dropped unfortunately, as the skies are covered with a high cloud. If the wind drops completely, we will get another storm as the temp falls with sunset. In fact as I write the sky to the south is beginning to look quite dark. The current temp is 32.0C/89.4F, and I suspect will only fall into the low 20's with the arrival of the storm. If we do get it in the next few hours, I hope it passes to the East, as then Homebush and the team venues will get a little rain, but that's all.
Otherwise, all is quiet, although there is a storm brewing over the rules of the long distance walk (25k), as a result of our own competitor (who was in the lead) being disqualified only 200 metres from the end, without knowing why. The two previous leaders had also been disqualified, although a fair way back in the race. They didn't seem to know why they were disqualified either.
30th September:
An early report this morning, as I have to leave the Olympic hype for the day. However I shall be taking a thermometer with me, as where I am going - to what is known as the Central Coast, about 40 miles to the north of Sydney - the temperatures and weather are very similar to what I experience here, unless there are some surprises in store during the day. However it looks as though it will be a beautiful day. The storms that threatened last night either didn't eventuate or passed out to sea in spite of a drop in the wind, and the result was a warm, still night, with a midnight temp of 21.4C/70.1F. This morning the sky is cloudless, and is in fact a very deep blue, which is a good sign, as that usually means the temps should stay in the 20's. There is also a light breeze from the south east. Current temp is 19.4C/66.1F
'Till tonight then....
Afternoon Update:
It was a picture perfect day today. Blue skies and sunshine with high puffy clouds here and there, and sparkling blue water. A light breeze, and low humidity capped it off. Where I was, the temp topped out at around 25C/77F, so here within the environs of Homebush, it may have been a degree warmer than that. The low humidity means the temperature is beginning to fall quite rapidly now as the sun sets, and the current temp is 22.8C/73.0F. A bit of a Nor'easterly blew up in the late afternoon, but it has settled into just a light breeze now.
One of the main crimes to have happened over the Olympics, has been the theft and sometimes forgery of the ID's carried by all who have anything to do with the Games. One such thief got into a bit of strife yesterday, first of all choosing a boxer from whom to steal, and then having the misfortune to actually find himself seated next to his victim and his friend - a judo champion - at a hockey match. He ran, I suspect gratefully, straight into the arms of the law.
1st October:
For the last time, it's Good Morning from the Olympic City. Hopefully, weather-wise it will be one worthy to remember. After a mild and very pleasant night, it is a glorious crystal clear morning. Unfortunately a gusty North West wind blew up during the early hours of the morning, and it is still gusting very strongly, so hopefully it will drop to breeze level during the day. The wind is making the conditions for the final day of the canoeing out in the wast very difficult and occasionally impossible. The humidity is very low, and the only cloud I can see is a little question mark shaped puff ball way down to the south. It looks quite lonely!! The midnight temp was 20.8C/69.0F, and the current temp is 22.0C/71.4F.
I know it isn't only Renee who is waiting with baited breath on an update on the condom situation, The exact figures are not known yet, but rest assured as soon as I hear them I will faithfully and accurately report them. However these Games have been nicknamed the Party Games, and the Marathon runners, who still have to compete, are complaining that the noise and rampant sexual energy in the Village are making their preparation for this afternoon very difficult. Rumour also has it (from several sources) that the Cubans have been the Gold Medal winners in the race for the condoms, but that the other medal positions are still being hotly contested between all the nations.
Afternoon Update:
I'm afraid the gusty North West wind did not abate during the day. It is beginning t a little now, and probably will by nightfall, but it is still gusty, and making conditions difficult for the Marathon - which I am watching the last stages of, as I write. But he sun shone brightly all day, and the wind kept the humidity at bay and the temperature down. It topped out at 24.8C/77F, and is currently 21.4C/70.1F. Conditions for the Closing Ceremony will be very cool, but dry. I don't know what sort of an effect the wind will have on the fireworks if it doesn't drop.
I shall be back after the Closing, just to wind up and summarise my thoughts on what certainly has been a unique and interesting experience.
Final Update:
It's all over!!After 7 years of hype, hard selling, frustrations, disappointments and stuff ups, SOCOG did it. And after 3 weeks of what Samaranch described as the best ever, it's all over! What the hell is Australia going to talk about, grumble about, have dire predictions about, tomorrow?
During the (long) Closing - I'm not going to call it a ceremony, 'cos it was hardly that, I thought about how much this last 3 weeks has affected me personally as well as the other 3.5 million who still call Sydney home.
There were a few things I didn't like about it all. Mainly the commercialism. I thought the TV coverage (in Oz) was terrible. Many sports were not shown at all, and hours were shown of preliminary team matches, just because we were playing in it, in spite of a final going on somewhere else. It was blatantly designed to get people to subscribe to Channel 7's cable channels, which broadcast all the sports. I didn't like the banning of all mascots (Fatso and others) just because they wanted people to buy those rather kitchy official mascots. I didn't like the fact that the tickets to most events were so expensive. I didn't like the exhaustion I saw every day on the face of my house mate who has worked now for 15 hours a day with only one day off in the 16 days (he was a tech at the power events at Darling Harbour), or the young Canadian who is staying with me who left for work in the ceremonies office at 5:30 am this morning and as we get close to midnight is still not home, But then he's probably celebrating with all the other Canadians..... At 22, I would be.... And I am soooo sick of TV!!! Of dashing out to get milk hoping I won't miss anything. Of stopping a creative flow in order to stare mesmerised at that stupid screen. Of the grot which is now 6 inches thick on my floors and covered in leaves blown in by the wind today. I'm exhausted - I have never played so much sport in my life!
But what *did* I like? I loved the spirit with which the whole country and especially the Sydneysiders got behind it all. I loved the feeling of excitement, the adrenalin of cheering on favourites. I loved having everyone from everywhere here, and seeing them all relax and have fun. I loved the tissue moments, the stories and the anecdotes - and I loved telling you about them every day. And I feel so proud at being able to showcase this city in which I was not only born and where I live, but I honestly think is the most beautiful city geographically, in the world.
So as a wrap up what did I think of the Closing? To be honest, a little bizarre!! Some of those rock icons - Barnes and Garrett - really should think about retiring..... and if we were going to produce so many icons, where was Dame Edna? or Joan Sutherland? But I suspect I'm just showing my age, my foot was tapping most of the time, and I did reach for the tissues at the sight of the thong and the Hill's Hoists. I even knew we were having the Mickey taken out of us as soon as I saw that mower - not apparently like many of the broadcasters, not even our own. I even got to share in it all a bit, as the F111 "taking the flame to Athens" flew right over my house!! The fireworks lit up the sky, and reverberated all around North Western Sydney, and must have looked spectacular from the harbour foreshores - and we will do it all again at the Federation Centenary in only 3 months time!
And I enjoyed my career as a reporter - brief though it was. Even getting out of bed sometimes to come back to the office, 'cos I'd forgotten to take the midnight temperature reading. I've got notes scribbled on the backs of envelopes, post-its all over the place with snippets on them to tell you at the next "report". My house has not been cleaned for nearly 3 weeks....
I honestly hope some of you found the reports useful, and sometime even interesting or amusing. No doubt there will be gossip now emerge (especially on the fate of those condoms), and if its interesting I'll let you know.
But for now, it's been fun, but it's back to my day job, and over to you Nadia......
Condom use update for the curious - 140,000 condoms were used over 16 days by 10,000 athletes - I'll let you work out what that means.
September 13th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0700 Temp: 08.2C/46.7F Hum: 67 % Wind Dir: 290 at 09km/06mph Max Gust: 11km/07mph
0900 Temp: 11.1C/51.9F Hum: 55 % Wind Dir: 290 at 13km/08mph Max Gust: 17km/11mph
1200 Temp: 19.3C/66.7F Hum: 30 % Wind Dir: 290 at 11km/07mph Max Gust: 17km/11mph
1430 Temp: 22.7C/72.8F Hum: 22 % Wind Dir: 340 at 09km/06mph Max Gust: 15km/09mph
1800 Temp: 19.4C/66.9F Hum: 38 % Wind Dir: 050 at 19km/12mph Max Gust: 24km/15mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 1/8 3pm nil
Barometer: 9am 1026 hPa (mb) 3pm:1022 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
High pressure over southern New South Wales is expected to drift northeast today. A cold front will approach Adelaide tonight. Dry sunny weather should continue with light winds and afternoon coastal seabreezes. Another cold night with some highland frost and a few fog areas inland.
September 14th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0700 Temp: 08.4C/44.1F Hum: 76% Wind: 280 at 07km/04mph Max Gust: 11km/07mph
0900 Temp: 12.1C/53.7F Hum: 62% Wind: 290 at 09km/06mph Max Gust: 15km/09mph
1200 Temp: 22.0C/71.6F Hum: 30% Wind: 040 at 04km/02mph Max Gust: 09km/06mph
1500 Temp: 25.4C/77.7F Hum: 25% Wind: 090 at 06km/04mph Max Gust: 11km/07mph
1630 Temp: 27.1C/80.7F Hum: 17% Wind: 310 at 19km/12mph Max Gust: 32km/20mph
1800 Temp: 25.9C/78.6F Hum: 19% Wind: 280 at 22km/14mph Max Gust: 33km/21mph
2100 Temp: 22.3C/72.1F Hum: 31% Wind: 280 at 19km/12mph Max Gust: 26km/16mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am Nil with Haze 3pm Nil with Haze
Barometer: 9am 1020 hPa (mb) 3pm 1015 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Thursday a high will be centred off the north coast of NSW. A cold
front should move into southern NSW during the day, reaching the far
south coast tonight around midnight as a southerly change. Isolated
showers are expected with the front on the southern border, mainly on
the ranges and western slopes. Warm northwest winds ahead of the
front, with afternoon northeast seabreezes on the coast, fresh to
strong at times.
September 15th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0500 Temp: 12.8C/55.0F Hum: 63% Wind: 200 at 02km/01mph Max Gust: 06km/04mph
0900 Temp: 16.0C/60.8F Hum: 67% Wind: 290 at 09km/06mph Max Gust: 11km/07mph
1200 Temp: 18.3C/64.9F Hum: 55% Wind: 120 at 15km/09mph Max Gust: 22km/14mph
1500 Temp: 18.4C/65.1F Hum: 57% Wind: 120 at 17km/11mph Max Gust: 24km/15mph
1800 Temp: 17.3C/63.1F Hum: 61% Wind: 110 at 17km/11mph Max Gust: 24km/15mph
2100 Temp: 16.8C/62.2F Hum: 64% Wind: 100 at 11km/07mph Max Gust: 15km/09mph
2230 Temp: 16.8C/62.2F Hum: 64% Wind: 100 at 07km/04mph Max Gust: 13km/08mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 6/8 with Haze 3pm 7/8 with Haze
Barometer: 9am 1023 hPa (mb) 3pm 1023 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
A moderate southerly change is moving up the coast today bringing
some cloud to the eastern part of the state. A few showers are likely
to develop along the north coast. Fine elsewhere. A high pressure
moving across the south in the wake of the change.
September 16th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0700 Temp: 15.8C/60.4F Hum: 73% Wind: 020 at 04km/02mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
0900 Temp: 17.4C/63.3F Hum: 64% Wind: 030 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
1200 Temp: 19.9C/67.8F Hum: 49% Wind: 040 at 13km/07mph Gusts: 20km/11mph
1430 Temp: 22.5C/72.5F Hum: 48% Wind: 030 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 22km/14mph
1800 Temp: 18.1C/64.5F Hum: 62% Wind: 060 at 24km/15mph Gusts: 35km/22mph
2100 Temp: 16.3C/61.3F Hum: 72% Wind: 040 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 26km/16mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 2/8 with Smoke 3pm 3/8
Barometer: 9am 1027 hPa (mb) 3pm 1024 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
During Saturday, the high will move into the Tasman Sea with a
northerly airstream developing across most of the state. A front
moving through the Bight will reach the far western border by
evening. Cloud along the coast and east ranges this morning should
mostly clear apart from in the north where winds will remain onshore
and a shower or two is possible. Warm and mostly sunny over the
inland during the day but increasing cloud may bring a later shower
or two to the far southwest ahead of the next change.
September 17th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0700 Temp: 10.0C/50.0F Hum: 89% Wind: 270 at 09km/06mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
0900 Temp: 13.8C/56.8F Hum: 78% Wind: 280 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 17km/11mph
1200 Temp: 24.4C/75.9F Hum: 34% Wind: 310 at 09km/06mph Gusts: 15km/09mph
1430 Temp: 29.7C/85.4F Hum: 20% Wind: 290 at 09km/06mph Gusts: 20km/12mph
1800 Temp: 26.1C/78.9F Hum: 33% Wind: 080 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 17km/11mph
2100 Temp: 25.1C/77.1F Hum: 28% Wind: 280 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 15km/09mph
2330 Temp: 22.9C/73.2F Hum: 33% Wind: 320 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 3/8 3pm 6/8 with Haze
Barometer: 9am 1021 hPa (mb) 3pm 1017 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Sunday, a front across the southwest of the state will move into
the central inland and along the coast bringing cooler south to
southwest winds. Patchy rain in the far west is expected to extend
across the south with the chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms
in the southeast with the change. Fine elsewhere. Warm northwest to
northeast winds with fresh afternoon coastal seabreezes ahead of a
cooler southerly change in the south.
September 18th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0630 Temp: 15.1C/59.1F Hum: 59% Wind: 250 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
0900 Temp: 18.6C/65.4F Hum: 50% Wind: 250 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
1200 Temp: 25.1C/77.1F Hum: 32% Wind: 270 at 13km/08mph Gusts: 20km/12mph
1530 Temp: 28.8C/83.8F Hum: 12% Wind: 310 at 22km/14mph Gusts: 35km/22mph
1800 Temp: 24.5C/76.1F Hum: 33% Wind: 100 at 09km/06mph Gusts: 15km/09mph
2100 Temp: 19.7C/67.4F Hum: 58% Wind: 020 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
2330 Temp: 18.7C/65.6F Hum: 50% Wind: 220 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 1/8 with Smoke 3pm Nil with Smoke
Barometer: 9am 1017 hPa (mb) 3pm 1014 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Monday a trough should lie over the northern inland and a weak
southerly change should reach the Mid north coast before dissipating.
It will be fine and mostly sunny throughout apart from the far
southern inland where it is cloudy. Warm day. Light winds inland
tending moderate westerly on South to Central tablelands in
afternoon. Moderate to fresh afternoon seabreezes on coast.
September 19th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0630 Temp: 12.3C/54.1F Hum: 66% Wind: 280 at 09km/05mph Gusts: 13km/08mph
0900 Temp: 15.6C/60.0F Hum: 51% Wind: 280 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 15km/09mph
1200 Temp: 23.3C/73.9F Hum: 22% Wind: 010 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 13km/08mph
1530 Temp: 28.9C/84.0F Hum: 15% Wind: 150 at 09km/05mph Gusts: 17km/11mph
1800 Temp: 26.9C/80.4F Hum: 19% Wind: 310 at 28km/17mph Gusts: 39km/24mph
2100 Temp: 22.5C/72.5F Hum: 30% Wind: 260 at 13km/08mph Gusts: 17km/11mph
2330 Temp: 19.1C/66.3F Hum: 41% Wind: 240 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 09km/05mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am Nil with Smoke 3pm Nil with Smoke
Barometer: 9am 1015 hPa (mb) 3pm 1012 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
A high over the Tasman Sea extends a ridge across northern New South
Wales and a cold front is approaching Victoria. Dry mild to warm
sunny weather is expected to continue today with light to moderate
north to northwest winds and afternoon northeast coastal seabreezes,
fresh at times.
September 20th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0600 Temp: 14.0C/57.2F Hum: 63% Wind: 270 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
0900 Temp: 17.7C/63.8F Hum: 54% Wind: 310 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
1130 Temp: 24.5C/76.1F Hum: 29% Wind: 340 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
1200 Temp: 22.1C/71.7F Hum: 37% Wind: 140 at 26km/16mph Gusts: 35km/22mph
1500 Temp: 21.2C/70.1F Hum: 62% Wind: 130 at 24km/15mph Gusts: 35km/22mph
1800 Temp: 19.4C/66.9F Hum: 70% Wind: 070 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 20km/12mph
2100 Temp: 18.0C/64.4F Hum: 80% Wind: 100 at 04km/02mph Gusts: 07km/04mph
2330 Temp: 17.4C/63.3F Hum: 83% Wind: 030 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 07km/04mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am Nil with Smoke 3pm 7/8 with Smoke
Barometer: 9am 1020 hPa (mb) 3pm 1019 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
Wednesday; a weak cold front near Sydney will move north to the
Mid-North coast tonight and weaken. Southeast winds with the change
should tend more east to northeast tonight on the south and central
coasts. Isolated late showers and thunderstorms are expected in the
northeast of the state. Fine elsewhere. Very warm with north to
northeast winds inland.
September 21st:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0600 Temp: 13.3C/55.9F Hum: 93% Wind: 280 at 09km/06mph Gusts: 13km/08mph
0900 Temp: 15.2C/59.3F Hum: 90% Wind: 030 at 13km/08mph Gusts: 18km/11mph
1200 Temp: 23.6C/74.4F Hum: 50% Wind: 360 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
1400 Temp: 26.8C/80.2F Hum: 42% Wind: 060 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 18km/11mph
1500 Temp: 25.9C/78.6F Hum: 42% Wind: 090 at 13km/08mph Gusts: 17km/11mph
1800 Temp: 22.4C/72.3F Hum: 55% Wind: 060 at 19km/12mph Gusts: 24km/15mph
2100 Temp: 18.8C/65.8F Hum: 69% Wind: 090 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
2330 Temp: 16.9C/62.4F Hum: 76% Wind: 130 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 20km/12mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 6/8 with Showers in area 3pm 1/8 with Haze
Barometer: 9am 1020 hPa (mb) 3pm 1016 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Thursday a weak cold front is expected to affect southern NSW.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely inland near the change
and should extend to the coasts and ranges later in the day.
Conditions are fine in the southwest. Warm to very warm northerly
winds ahead of milder southerly winds behind the change, which is
expected to reach Sydney late in the evening.
September 22nd:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0630 Temp: 13.6C/56.4F Hum: 83% Wind: 270 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
0900 Temp: 16.0C/60.8F Hum: 72% Wind: 300 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 17km/11mph
1200 Temp: 21.6C/70.8F Hum: 52% Wind: 360 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 13km/08mph
1530 Temp: 23.5C/74.3F Hum: 57% Wind: 090 at 17km/11mph Gusts: 22km/14mph
1800 Temp: 21.1C/69.9F Hum: 64% Wind: 060 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 22km/14mph
2100 Temp: 17.8C/64.0F Hum: 80% Wind: 110 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
2330 Temp: 16.7C/62.0F Hum: 86% Wind: Calm
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 1/8 with Haze 3pm Nil with Haze
Barometer: 9am 1022 hPa (mb) 3pm 1017 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Friday a southerly change should move to the north coast and
weaken. A trough will lie over the northern inland. Isolated showers
and afternoon thunderstorms are expected in the far north. It should
be fine elsewhere. Very warm NE/NW winds in the northeast, milder in
remainder with SE to NE winds.
September 23rd:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0530 Temp: 13.8C/56.8F Hum: 71% Wind: 240 at 09km/06mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
0900 Temp: 17.0C/62.6F Hum: 69% Wind: 240 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 13km/08mph
1200 Temp: 21.2C/70.1F Hum: 61% Wind: 130 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 18km/11mph
1300 Temp: 22.0C/71.6F Hum: 60% Wind: 120 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 18km/11mph
1500 Temp: 21.2C/70.6F Hum: 62% Wind: 120 at 20km/12mph Gusts: 28km/17mph
1800 Temp: 19.8C/67.6F Hum: 67% Wind: 070 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 26km/16mph
2100 Temp: 17.5C/17.5F Hum: 81% Wind: 060 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
2330 Temp: 17.3C/63.8F Hum: 85% Wind: - at 00km/00mph Gusts: 06km/04mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 6/8 with Haze 3pm 5/8 with Haze
Barometer: 9am 1022 hPa (mb) 3pm 1020 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
During Saturday high pressure will move off the NSW coast while a
trough develops over the Bight. Instability is expected to persist
about the northeast border where isolated afternoon showers and
thunderstorms are expected. Elsewhere should be dry with warm east to
northeast winds inland and milder southeast to easterly winds on the
coast.
September 24th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0700 Temp: 13.5C/56.3F Hum: 90% Wind: 260 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
0900 Temp: 14.6C/58.2F Hum: 89% Wind: 260 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 13km/08mph
1230 Temp: 22.0C/71.6F Hum: 51% Wind: 150 at 19km/12mph Gusts: 28km/17mph
1500 Temp: 20.2C/68.3F Hum: 57% Wind: 130 at 28km/17mph Gusts: 41km/25mph
2100 Temp: 15.0C/59.0F Hum: 81% Wind: 180 at 13km/08mph Gusts: 22km/14mph
2330 Temp: 14.7C/58.4F Hum: 79% Wind: 170 at 09km/06mph Gusts: 15km/09mph
Rain: 1mm/0.039inch between 2000 and 0000
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 5/8 with Mist 3pm 2/8
Barometer: 9am 1022 hPa (mb) 3pm 1021 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Sunday a high will strengthen east of Tasmania and a trough of low
pressure will develop over South Australia, extending into southwest
NSW later in day with a few showers or isolated storms. Southeast
winds along the south coast should bring a few showers to the south
coast and southern ranges by tonight. There is the chance of
isolated showers in central areas late today and isolated afternoon
storms are again possible on the northern border ranges.
September 25th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0200 Temp: 13.4C/56.1F Hum: 92% Wind: 130 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 24km/15mph
0600 Temp: 13.9C/57.0F Hum: 84% Wind: 250 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
0900 Temp: 13.9C/57.0F Hum: 87% Wind: 080 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
1200 Temp: 15.7C/60.2F Hum: 70% Wind: 050 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 22km/14mph
1500 Temp: 16.8C/62.2F Hum: 62% Wind: 050 at 13km/08mph Gusts: 20km/12mph
2100 Temp: 16.6C/61.8F Hum: 70% Wind: 050 at 04km/02mph Gusts: 09km/06mph
2230 Temp: 16.9C/62.4F Hum: 70% Wind: 360 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 17km/11mph
Rain: 2mm/0.079inch between 0000 and 0900
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 8/8 with Distant precip. 3pm 8/8
Barometer: 9am 1027 hPa (mb) 3pm 1023 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
A high east of Tasmania extends a ridge along the NSW coast and a
trough of low pressure is located near Adelaide. The ridge is
expected to move off the coast today. The trough should move into the
far southwest of NSW. Unstable conditions near the trough expected to
produce showers and isolated thunderstorms in the southwest this
afternoon and some rain over the southern areas. Showers or drizzle
along the coast and adjacent ranges should contract north and clear
during the day as winds tend northeasterly. Chance isolated
thunderstorms northeast inland.
September 26th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
Note: due to a computer glitch, I lost the earlier observations!
I am aware that there was some rain and gusty S winds during the morning.
1200 Temp: 15.0C/59.0F Hum: 79% Wind: 170 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 24km/15mph Rain: 02mm/0.08"
1500 Temp: 16.4C/61.5F Hum: 76% Wind: 190 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 18km/11mph Rain: 02mm/0.08"
1730 Temp: 17.3C/63.1F Hum: 72% Wind: 200 at 04km/02mph Gusts: 09km/06mph Rain: 02mm/0.08"
2100 Temp: 15.4C/59.7F Hum: 93% Wind: 030 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph Rain: 03mm/0.12"
2302 Temp: 15.5C/59.9F Hum: 91% Wind: 060 at 28km/17mph Gusts: 48km/30mph Rain: 11mm/0.43"
2330 Temp: 15.9C/60.6F Hum: 90% Wind: 190 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 18km/11mph Rain: 11mm/0.43"
Rain: 11mm/0.43inch from 0900 till 0000.
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 8/8 with Distant precip. 3pm 8/8 with Distant precip.
Barometer: 9am 1019 hPa (mb) 3pm 1019 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Tuesday a trough has formed across central NSW and a weak low has
formed off the Illawarra coast. The low is expected to move slowly
north during the day and be off the Hunter coast tonight. Rain with
moderate falls about the southern coast and ranges with easterly
winds reaching strong to gale force along the coast. Showers and
thunderstorms across the rest of the state, with some rain in the
south. Moderate falls likely on the central ranges. Cool to mild in
the south. Warm in the north.
Extra Notes:
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Issued at 21:56 on Tuesday the 26th of September 2000
This warning affects people in the Sydney Metropolitan area.
This warning also affects people in the following Local Government Areas: Wollongong.
Also included in this warning are the following Olympic venues: Sydney City, Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach, Offshore, Olympic Park, Bankstown, Horsley Park, Blacktown.
This warning is current from 2200 until 2300.
A line of thunderstorms lies from near Mascot to Wollongong moving offshore in the
next 15 minutes. Another thunderstorm is located between Blacktown and Horsley Park moving east-southeast and reaching the coast within the next hour.
Large hailstones and destructive winds are possible.
September 27th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0600 Temp: 15.7C/60.2F Hum: 91% Wind: 240 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph Rain: 13mm/0.51"
0800 Temp: 15.3C/59.5F Hum: 90% Wind: 030 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 22km/14mph Rain: 14mm/0.55"
0900 Temp: 15.8C/60.4F Hum: 88% Wind: 020 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 18km/11mph Rain: 15mm/0.59"
1200 Temp: 21.0C/69.8F Hum: 64% Wind: 350 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 18km/11mph
1530 Temp: 27.9C/82.2F Hum: 31% Wind: 270 at 17km/11mph Gusts: 24km/15mph
1800 Temp: 26.9C/80.4F Hum: 28% Wind: 280 at 20km/12mph Gusts: 30km/19mph
2100 Temp: 22.3C/72.1F Hum: 43% Wind: 230 at 02km/01mph Gusts: 07km/04mph
2330 Temp: 18.5C/65.3F Hum: 72% Wind: 100 at 09km/06mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
Rain: 04mm/0.16inch from 0000 till 0900.
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 7/8 with Thunderstorm. 3pm 1/8
Barometer: 9am 1014 hPa (mb) 3pm 1009 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Wednesday a trough over east NSW will generate isolated shower and
thunderstorm activity, with a gradual contraction to the northeast as
the day goes on. Isolated showers may develop in the far southwest
late in the day. Warm NE to NW winds over the state.
September 28th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0600 Temp: 18.3C/64.9F Hum: 82% Wind: 310 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 15km/09mph Rain: 1mm/0.04"
0830 Temp: 17.2C/62.9F Hum: 90% Wind: 050 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 18km/11mph Rain: 5mm/0.12"
1200 Temp: 20.7C/69.2F Hum: 70% Wind: 020 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 22km/14mph Rain: 0.8mm/0.03"
1500 Temp: 23.6C/74.4F Hum: 58% Wind: 030 at 04km/03mph Gusts: 11km/07mph Rain: 0.8mm/0.03"
1800 Temp: 20.9C/69.6F Hum: 75% Wind: 100 at 13km/08mph Gusts: 17km/11mph Rain: 0.8mm/0.03"
2100 Temp: 18.8C/65.8F Hum: 86% Wind: 050 at 04km/03mph Gusts: 07km/04mph Rain: 0.8mm/0.03"
2330 Temp: 17.8C/64.0F Hum: 84% Wind: 140 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 22km/14mph Rain: 0.8mm/0.03"
Rain: 5.8mm/0.23inch from 0530 till 1030.
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 8/8 with Showers. 3pm 5/8 with Haze.
Barometer: 9am 1013 hPa (mb) 3pm 1008 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
A low and trough over central NSW is expected to move east and weaken
but a brief southerly change is expected to move along the south
coast later today, reaching the central coast tonight. Rain and
isolated thunderstorms are contracting to the northeast but further
showers and thunderstorms may develop in the eastern half this
afternoon and evening. Warm northwest to northeast winds are expected
ahead of the trough. A cold front is approaching the Bight.
September 29th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0700 Temp: 15.1C/59.1F Hum: 90% Wind: 130 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 07km/04mph
0900 Temp: 18.2C/64.7F Hum: 79% Wind: 010 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
1200 Temp: 28.6C/83.4F Hum: 37% Wind: 350 at 20km/12mph Gusts: 33km/21mph
1500 Temp: 34.9C/94.8F Hum: 12% Wind: 300 at 35km/22mph Gusts: 56km/35mph
1530 Temp: 35.1C/95.1F Hum: 11% Wind: 300 at 32km/20mph Gusts: 48km/30mph
1800 Temp: 31.4C/88.5F Hum: 18% Wind: 280 at 28km/17mph Gusts: 41km/25mph
2100 Temp: 26.8C/80.2F Hum: 30% Wind: 260 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 11km/07mph
2330 Temp: 23.1C/73.5F Hum: 39% Wind: 210 at 07km/04mph Gusts: 13km/08mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 1/8 with Haze. 3pm 1/8 with Haze.
Barometer: 9am 1009 hPa (mb) 3pm 1002 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Friday a cold front is expected to enter western NSW and extend to
the south and central coast in the evening. Isolated showers and
thunderstorms are possible with or ahead of the front, but remaining
fine in the northeast. Some high cloud is expected to spread eastward
ahead of the front. Few showers in the Southwest Slopes and Riverina
after the change. Very warm to hot northwest winds ahead of, and
cooler southwesterly to southerly winds behind the front.
September 30th:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0700 Temp: 16.0C/60.8F Hum: 50% Wind: 140 at 06km/04mph Gusts: 09km/05mph
0900 Temp: 19.8C/67.6F Hum: 38% Wind: 170 at 09km/05mph Gusts: 17km/11mph
1230 Temp: 23.9C/75.0F Hum: 32% Wind: 060 at 11km/07mph Gusts: 18km/10mph
1500 Temp: 23.3C/73.9F Hum: 50% Wind: 060 at 17km/11mph Gusts: 26km/16mph
1800 Temp: 27.1C/80.7F Hum: 14% Wind: 270 at 22km/14mph Gusts: 43km/27mph
1837 Temp: 26.2C/79.1F Hum: 15% Wind: 280 at 35km/21mph Gusts: 57km/35mph
2100 Temp: 23.4C/74.1F Hum: 26% Wind: 300 at 17km/11mph Gusts: 24km/15mph
2330 Temp: 21.7C/71.0F Hum: 30% Wind: 330 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 24km/15mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 0/8 3pm 0/8
Barometer: 9am 1013 hPa (mb) 3pm 1007 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Saturday a cold front will move into the northeast of the state
and weaken with the chance of a few showers and isolated
thunderstorms there. Another cold front is expected to move into
Victoria and southern NSW later in the day, with a few showers over
the southern inland. It should be dry elsewhere. Cooler conditions in
the south with westerly winds.
October 1st:
Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park):
Selected Observations:
0351 Temp: 21.8C/71.2F Hum: 21% Wind: 280 at 32km/20mph Gusts: 50km/31mph
0700 Temp: 20.2C/68.3F Hum: 28% Wind: 290 at 26km/16mph Gusts: 39km/24mph
0850 Temp: 20.8C/69.4F Hum: 31% Wind: 290 at 33km/22mph Gusts: 52km/32mph
1025 Temp: 21.4C/70.5F Hum: 29% Wind: 270 at 35km/22mph Gusts: 57km/35mph
1200 Temp: 22.5C/72.5F Hum: 21% Wind: 280 at 37km/23mph Gusts: 54km/34mph
1500 Temp: 21.0C/69.8F Hum: 18% Wind: 240 at 30km/19mph Gusts: 46km/29mph
1753 Temp: 19.3C/66.7F Hum: 19% Wind: 260 at 30km/19mph Gusts: 48km/30mph
2100 Temp: 15.8C/60.4F Hum: 32% Wind: 240 at 15km/09mph Gusts: 22km/16mph
2225 Temp: 15.2C/59.3F Hum: 31% Wind: 250 at 30km/19mph Gusts: 52km/32mph
0000 Temp: 14.0C/57.2F Hum: 31% Wind: 270 at 19km/12mph Gusts: 32km/20mph
Sydney:
Cloud: 9am 1/8 3pm 1/8
Barometer: 9am 1007 hPa (mb) 3pm 1009 hPa (mb)
NSW Chart Notes:
On Sunday a cold front will move across southern NSW into the Tasman
Sea with a high in the Bight ridging into northern NSW. Fresh to
strong west to southwest winds in the southeast with isolated showers
about the southwestern slopes of the ranges, falling as snow about
the Alpine region. Remaining fine along the coast and over the rest
of the inland.
.
The information in this section is from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) website at http://www.bom.gov.au and the BoM Olympic website at http://www.bom.gov.au/olympic/.
.
Forecasts for September 14:
Anon: Warm, dry, and breezy
Carolyn Egan: Warm, fair, dry, breezy
BoM summary:
Very warm, dry, sunny - anticyclonic conditions.
Min Temp: 08.4C/44.1F at 0700, high humidity.
Max Temp: 27.1C/80.7F at 1630, low humidity.
Winds: light WNW breeze during morning, swinging through the N to become a light NE to E sea breeze in the middle of the day, then back through N to become a moderate W during evening.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Anon: 4 - very warm rather than warm.
Carolyn Egan: 4 - very warm rather than warm.
.
Forecasts for September 15:
Ken Ring: Fine - anticyclone over Sydney
Anon: Warm, dry, and breezy
Carolyn Egan: Warm, fair, dry, breezy
BoM summary:
Warm, moderately humid, cloudy - moderate southerly change.
Min Temp: 12.8C/55.0F at 0500, moderate humidity.
Max Temp: 18.4C/65.1F at 1500, moderate humidity.
Winds: light SSW air early morning, becoming light W breeze mid-morning, gentle southerly breeze arrived late morning, becoming a gentle to moderate SE breeze during afternoon.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 3 - no mention of change with increased humidity.
Anon: 3 - no mention of change with increased humidity.
Carolyn Egan: 3 - no mention of change with increased humidity.
.
Forecasts for September 16:
Ken Ring: Fine - anticyclone over Sydney
Anon: Warm, dry, and breezy
Carolyn Egan: Warm, fair, dry, breezy - change feeding in.
BoM summary:
Warm, moderately humid, clouds clearing.
Min Temp: 15.8C/60.4F at 0700, high humidity.
Max Temp: 22.5C/72.5F at 1500, moderate humidity.
Winds: calm air very early morning, becoming light NE breeze during morning, strengthing to gentle during afternoon, becoming moderate during evening.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 3 - no mention of post frontal clearing conditions.
Anon: 2 - moderately humid rather than dry, no mention of post frontal clearing conditions.
Carolyn Egan: 3 - moderately humid rather than dry, change was yesterday.
.
Forecasts for September 17:
Ken Ring: Possible rain - approaching fronts pushed by SW winds
Anon: Dry, cold, blustery
Carolyn Egan: Warm, fair, dry, stronger winds from the West - possible overnight thunderstorm
BoM summary:
Very warm, dry, partly cloudy.
Min Temp: 10.0C/50.0F at 0700, high humidity.
Max Temp: 29.7C/85.4F at 1430, low humidity.
Winds: light W breeze during morning, swinging through light N during afternoon, to become gentle E breeze during evening.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 1 - no rain, light to gentle breezes all day.
Anon: 1 - very warm with light breezes.
Carolyn Egan: 3 - very warm, light to gentle breezes all day, no hint of storm.
.
Forecasts for September 18:
Ken Ring: Fine - Westerly wind change.
Anon: Dry, cold, blustery
Carolyn Egan: Warm, fair, dry, fierce/aggressive wind from the West, - possible overnight thunderstorm
Ken Paone: Possible severe weather
BoM summary:
Very warm, dry, clear, barometer falling.
Min Temp: 15.1C/59.1F at 0630, moderate humidity.
Max Temp: 28.8C/83.8F at 1530, low humidity.
Winds: light W to WSW breeze during morning, swinging through gentle N to become light NE sea breeze during the afternoon.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 3 - no westerly change
Anon: 1 - very warm with light breezes.
Carolyn Egan: 3 - very warm, light to gentle breezes all day, no hint of storm.
Ken Paone: 1 - No hint of severe weather, would have scored well if storm had occurred.
.
Forecasts for September 19:
Ken Ring: Showers with variable skies - fronts with SouthWest winds
Anon: Chilly, wet, cold, windy
Carolyn Egan: Warm, fair, dry, breezy - clearing
BoM summary:
Very warm, dry, clear, barometer falling.
Min Temp: 12.3C/54.1F at 0630, moderate humidity.
Max Temp: 28.9C/84.0F at 1530, low humidity.
Winds: light W breeze during morning, becoming light N in middle of day, to become moderate NW during the evening.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 1 - no showers and no SW fronts
Anon: 1 - very warm and dry with light to moderate breezes.
Carolyn Egan: 3 - very warm, no prior conditions to clear from.
.
Forecasts for September 20:
Ken Ring: Showers with variable skies - fronts with SouthWest winds
Anon: Chilly, wet, cold, windy
Carolyn Egan: Warm, fair, dry, breezy
BoM Summary:
Warm. Dry clear morning becoming cloudy, moderate SE change before noon, rapid rise in humidity from noon, barometer higher than yesterday.
Min Temp: 14.0C/57.2F at 0600, moderate humidity.
Max Temp: 24.5C/76.1F at 1130, low humidity.
Winds: light W breeze during morning, becoming light NNW prior to moderate gusty SE change before noon, with moderate gusty SE breezes throughout afternoon to become gentle E during the evening.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 4 - no showers, SE gusty change rather than SW, but still scored for the change.
Anon: 1 - warm and dry with light to moderate breezes.
Carolyn Egan: 3 - no mention of gusty change with increased humidity.
.
Forecasts for September 21:
Ken Ring: Showers with variable skies - fronts with SouthWest winds
Carolyn Egan: Sunny and warm, breezy, localized scattered showers
BoM Summary:
Very warm, early post-frontal showers clearing to a moderately humid day, with a late evening SSE change.
Min Temp: 13.3C/55.9F at 0600 high humidity.
Max Temp: 25.9C/78.6F at 1500 moderate humidity.
Winds: Calm in the pre-dawn hours, gentle WNW to W breezes from around 5am, swinging through S to E then N mid morning, then a gentle E - NE breeze for the afternoon and evening, with a moderate SSE change around 10:30pm.
Rainfall: Early light showers around Sydney area but none recorded at Homebush.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 4 - scored for the fronts even though they were more S to SSE in direction - a good description of the day.
Carolyn Egan: 4 - overall a quite accurate description of the day.
.
Forecasts for September 22:
Ken Ring: Fine
Carolyn Egan: Sunny and warm, breezy
BoM Summary:
Warm, clear, and moderately humid day.
Min Temp: 13.6C/56.4F at 0630 high humidity.
Max Temp: 23.5C/74.3F at 1530 moderate humidity.
Winds: Light to gentle S breezes becoming W before dawn, swinging to the N during the middle of the day, becoming a gentle E breeze through the afternoon and evening, falling off to calm before midnight.
Rainfall: nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 4
Carolyn Egan: 4
.
Forecasts for September 23:
Ken Ring: Fine
Carolyn Egan: breezy, showers and/or thunderstorm
Ken Paone: Increase temps and humidity
BoM Summary:
A warm, partly cloudy, and moderately humid day.
Min Temp: 13.8C/56.8F at 0530 high humidity.
Max Temp: 22.0C/71.6F at 1300 moderate humidity (60%)
Winds: Light to gentle W breezes in the morning, SE during the afternoon, becoming E in the evening and dropping to calm before midnight.
Rainfall: nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 3 - whilst fine, it was partly cloudy - insufficient detail for better score.
Carolyn Egan: 2 - no showers reported, the only showers and thunderstorms were several hundred miles to the N.
Ken Poane: 1 - temps a little cooler, humidity not significantly increased.
.
Forecasts for September 24:
Ken Ring: Fine
Carolyn Egan: Sunny and warm, breezy
Ken Paone: Increase temps and humidity
BoM Summary:
A warm, partly cloudy, and moderately humid day, with a gusty SE change in the late morning and rain in the evening.
Min Temp: 13.5C/56.3F at 0700 high humidity
Max Temp: 22.0C/71.6F at 1230 moderate humidity
Winds: calm before dawn, light W to SW breezes during morning, with a moderate gusty SE change in the late morning, increasing to fresh SE during the afternoon, becoming S during the evening with light rain.
Rainfall: 1mm/0.039inch between 8pm and midnight.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 1 - completely missed the SE gusty change and rain.
Carolyn Egan: 1 - completely missed the SE gusty change and rain.
Ken Poane: 2 - temp same as yesterday, humidity did increase with the SE change.
.
Forecasts for September 25:
Ken Ring: Fine
Carolyn Egan: Sunny and warm, breezy
BoM Summary:
A cool to mild, cloudy, very humid day, with early morning showers.
Min Temp: 13.4C/56.1F at 0200 high humidity.
Max temp: 16.9C/62.4F at 2230 high humidity.
Wind: Light to gentle SE breezes in the early hours, swinging through SW to NW around dawn, swinging back through S to NE mid morning, remaining gentle NE through the afternoon dropping to light NE during the evening.
Rainfall: 2mm/0.079inch between midnight and 9am.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 1 - cool to mild, cloudy, and humid day with early showers.
Carolyn Egan: 1 - cool to mild, cloudy, and humid day with early showers, not notably breezy.
.
Forecasts for September 26:
Ken Ring: Fine
Carolyn Egan: Sunny and warm, breezy
BoM Summary:
A cool to mild humid and overcast day, with showers and gusty S winds. Some severe thunderstorms passed over the Sydney region during the late evening.
Min Temp: not available.
Max Temp: 17.3C/63.1F at 1730 with high humidity.
Wind: Gusty moderate to fresh S winds at times during the morning, being gentle S during the afternoon, swinging to become light to gentle W during late afternoon, turning light to gentle SE during the evening, becoming fresh NE with strong gusts as a severe thunderstorm passed over Homebush late evening.
Rainfall: Early morning showers and 11mm/0.43inch from 9am till midnight, much of which fell during a severe late evening thunderstorm.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 1 - cool to mild ovecast and humid day with showers and late thunderstorms.
Carolyn Egan: 2 - an extra point for the breezy conditions.
.
Forecasts for September 27:
Ken Ring: Fine
Carolyn Egan: Fair weather, humid, breezy, possibly heavy fog or rain
BoM Summary:
Early showers clearing to a very warm sunny afternoon with low humidity.
Min Temp: 05.3C/59.5F at 0800 high humidity
Max Temp: 27.9C/82.2F at 1530 low humidity
Wind: Variable light breezes before dawn, gentle NE with the showers before 9am, gentle NNW to NW most of the day, becoming moderate W by sunset, dropping off in the evening, swinging to light NE late evening.
Rainfall: 04mm/0.16inch before 9am.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 2 - missed the early showers then clearing.
Carolyn Egan: 4
.
Forecasts for September 28:
Ken Ring: Showery
Carolyn Egan: Fair weather, sunny and warm, breezy
BoM Summary:
Morning rain with clearing late morning to a warm and partly cloudy day with moderate to high humidity.
Min Temp: 17.2C/62.9F at 0830 high humidity
Max Temp: 23.6C/74.4F at 1500 moderate humidity
Wind: Variable somewhat gusty winds during the morning, light to gentle NE to SE breezes, moderate at times in the afternoon, easing off during the evening.
Rainfall: 5.8mm/0.23inch between 5:30am and 10:30am.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 4
Carolyn Egan: 2 - missed the early rain then clearing conditions.
.
Forecasts for September 29:
Ken Ring: Showery
Carolyn Egan: Fair weather
BoM Summary:
A clear, very hot day, with fresh gusty NW winds during the afternoon.
Min Temp: 15.1C/59.1F at 0700 high humidity
Max Temp: 35.1C/95.1F at 1530 low humidity
Wind: Calm in the early hours, variable light air after dawn, light NE to NW breezes late morning, becoming fresh and gusty NW breezes during the afternoon, easing and becoming more W during the evening.
Rainfall: Nil
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 1 - very hot and windy
Carolyn Egan: 1 - very hot and windy
.
Forecasts for September 30:
Ken Ring: Clearing
Carolyn Egan: Fair weather, possibly rain or clouds
BoM Summary:
A warm clear day with a very warm and windy evening.
Min Temp: 16.0C/60.8F at 0700 moderate humidity.
Max Temp: 27.1C/80.7F at 1800 low humidity.
Wind: variable light breezes, mainly SE, during morning, becoming gentle NE during afternoon, with hot fresh gusty W to NW winds during the evening.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 2 - already clear
Carolyn Egan: 2 - warm to very warm - dry with no hint of rain.
.
Forecasts for October 1:
Ken Ring: Fine
Carolyn Egan: Fair weather, possibly rain or clouds
BoM Summary:
A warm, dry, windy day.
Min Temp: 20.2C/68.3F at 0700 low humidity.
Max Temp: 22.5C/72.5F at 1200 low humidity.
Wind: Fresh W breezes with strong to near gale force gusts all day.
Rainfall: Nil.
My comparison ratings 1 to 5:
Ken Ring: 3 - no mention of strong winds
Carolyn Egan: 2 - warm and dry with no hint of rain, very windy.
.
The meteorological observations summarised in this section is from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) website at http://www.bom.gov.au and the BoM Olympic website at http://www.bom.gov.au/olympic/.
______________________________________________________________ | RESULTS | Ken | Anon | Carolyn | Ken | | SUMMARY | Ring | | Egan | Poane * | ______________________________________________________________ | TOTALS: | 41 | 13 | 47 | 4 | | Of Possible: | 85 | 35 | 90 | 15 | | Of Realistic: | 68 | 28 | 72 | 12 | ______________________________________________________________ | Percent: | 48.24 | 37.14 | 52.22 | 26.67 | | Adjusted: | 60.29 | 46.43 | 65.28 | 33.33 | ______________________________________________________________
* Note: Ken Poane was not really participating in this exercise, only offering 3 days of partial forecasts, and also said that he had not properly prepared his material, so take his results here with a grain of salt - I have seen some of his US forecasting work, and know he could have produced a far higher scoring forecast if he had been able to put in the time to do so. I simply included his forecasts in this out of personal curiosity.
The daily forecasts, observations, etc., and the above results table are inconclusive, but in the adjusted results do show a better than chance level of accuracy - the adjustment was made to reflect the lack of detail in the forecasts - perhaps scores would have been higher if more time had been available for forecasts to be prepared. More of these tests need to be organised with more preparation time, and a set of clearly defined astrometeorological forecasting terms need to be developed, along with a set of clear guidelines for evaluation.
From an overview perspective, the forecasts by Ken Ring and Carolyn Egan, arrived at using totally different methods, do reveal a good level of correspondence with actual conditions, albeit with timing errors of up to a few days from actual conditions.
What it all shows is that the Astrometeorological methods used by Carolyn Egan and Ken Ring have the most potential, but clearly need more refinement, perhaps simply reflecting lack of adequate preparation time and lack of adequate predefinition of terms. Some terms used are quite vague, eg. 'fine', which in meteorological terms simply means absence of significant precipitation, ie. no rain, hail or snow, with no indication of other conditions, so it could be fine and freezing or fine and 40C. 'Breezy' could be defined as anything from variable light breezes around 4 knots to near gale force winds of 27 knots with higher gusts.
Of course, our conventional weather forecasters also use vague terms like 'fine', 'breezy', and 'fair', which may indicate that they do not have much of an idea what the weather will do, and does little to encourage confidence in our weather forecasts, especially when one hears them on the radio defending the use of such terms.
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Sun Cancer Ingress Jun 21st 01:48 UTC = 21st 11:48 AEST
Mercury Libra Ingress Sep 07th 22:23 UTC = 08th 09:52 AEDT
Full Moon Sep 13th 19:37 UTC = 14th 06:37 AEDT
Last Quarter Moon Sep 21st 01:28 UTC = 21st 12:28 AEDT
Sun Ingress Libra Sep 23rd 11:32 UTC = 23rd 22:32 AEDT
New Moon Sep 27th 19:53 UTC = 28th 06:53 AEDT
Temperature:
Very Cold <4.9C/40.9F Cold 5.0C/41.0F to 9.9C/49.9F Cool 10.0C/50.0F to 14.9C/58.9F Mild 15.0C/59.0F to 19.9C/67.9F Warm 20.0C/68.0F to 24.9C/77.9F Very Warm 25.0C/77.0F to 29.9C/86.9F Hot 30.0C/86.0F to 34.9C/85.9F Very Hot >35.0C/95.0F
Humidity:
Low 0% to 33% Moderate 34% to 66% High 67% to 100%
Wind Direction to nearest 10 degrees:
N 350 to 010 NNE 020 to 030 NE 040 to 050 ENE 060 to 070 E 080 to 100 ESE 110 to 120 SE 130 to 140 SSE 150 to 160 S 170 to 190 SSW 200 to 210 SW 220 to 230 WSW 240 to 250 W 260 to 280 WNW 290 to 300 NW 310 to 320 NNW 330 to 340
Beaufort Wind Scale:
No Description Knots Km/hr Mph 0 Calm <1 <1 <1 1 Light Air 1 - 3 1 - 5 1 - 3 2 Light breeze 4 - 6 6 - 11 4 - 7 3 Gentle breeze 7 - 10 12 - 19 8 - 12 4 Moderate breeze 11 - 16 20 - 28 13 - 18 5 Fresh breeze 17 - 21 29 - 38 19 - 24 6 Strong breeze 22 - 27 39 - 49 25 - 31 7 Near gale 28 - 33 50 - 61 32 - 38 8 Gale 34 - 40 62 - 74 39 - 46 9 Strong gale 41 - 47 75 - 88 47 - 54 10 Storm 48 - 55 89 - 102 55 - 63 11 Violent storm 56 - 63 103 - 117 64 - 73 12 Hurricane >64 >118 >74 The Australian Standard Average Wind Speed is averaged over 10 minutes, and is read at a height of 10 metres (33 feet) above open flat ground. Values for gusts are higher than average wind values.
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