Expert: Donald Rosenfeld - 7/8/2010

Question
Hi there,

I am in Auckland, New Zealand but have a somewhat generic weather question.

At the moment it is winter time here, and it the day starts of really cold but as it progresses it gets colder.

I note that when I was in the UK it would start out freezing but get warmer.

So can you please enlighten me as to what may be the cause of the witner in Auckland, New Zealand days getting colder as it progresses.

Answer
Hi Les

My guess would be that in the winter, the shorter day light hours would allow for cooling to start earlier at that latitude; for more info, see:

http://www.rasnz.org.nz/SRSStimes.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_sun_angle_on_climate

http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/nature/nature-climate-and-weather.cfm

http://www.branz.co.nz/cms_show_download.php?id=230