Coldest June since 1972.... [Archive]

Motu

3rd July 2006, 16:27

What was I doing in 1972??

It was pretty cold alright,it was the 2nd year of my apprenticeship,but I still got the shit jobs.I was 18,probably had my 1972 CT2 175,although I may have ''lost it'' around that time.I loaned it to a mate when his car/bike broke down....and a couple of months later when I see him riding or driving around I asked where my Yamaha was - ''oh,**** is using it....'' Ahem,pretty stupid at 18 eh? I had a Matchless G9,a 500cc twin too,a real piece of work that one was.....

But I was probably driving to work on those cold mornings in my 1957 International AS110,an 18 cwt pickup,the bike hauler,doing 4 mpg....but more often put into service for loading drunks into.The Inter always ran - a couple of pumps on the gas,3/4 choke and away she went,then I'd pull the 4x2 out of the door frame and drop the drivers window.On those frosty mornings I'd toss some hot water over the screen to clear it,no demister.....that's why the drivers window was down.Or I might take my 1954 VW,it was usualy running,but had no reverse so I had to be careful where I parked it....in those days it was my gravel road car,that's where I learned to handle gravel,then moved onto bikes because it was more of a challenge.I had dropped the torsion bars a tad (micro adjustment,19 splines inner,20 outer,or something like that) so the rear wheels were vertical,or a bit negative...no jack up on my Crud Bug.

We were tough back then - no heaters at work,not even running hot water,only a Zip heater in the lunchroom for making a pot of tea....and we had to go outside and around the back for the lunchroom.So your hands were cold all day,wash your hands under the cold outside tap.There was a goat out the back,he liked a bit of sport,so you had to know where he was when you went out there.And before the jokes start - have you ever had up close dealings with goats? It's all about the front end,you have to stay in control of the front end....put your hands on those horns and you'll be trapped all day....

Yep,it was cold in 1972....but I was made of tougher stuff back then....

Sniper

3rd July 2006, 16:32

Thats pretty cool to read Motu. Title mistake though :).

Motu

3rd July 2006, 16:38

You're blind....I wrote that over lunch,and it was still there some hrs later....and I didn't proof read it before submitting....

Jantar

3rd July 2006, 16:41

Coldest June since 1972?

Must be due to Global warming. :blip:

Paul in NZ

3rd July 2006, 17:31

I remember 1972 and how cold it was.. But everything was colder back then..

I had a 10ph 1949 Hillman and had just bought my first bike (1954 AJS 500cc single) but really it was hunting and tramping that was my first love. It snowed a beauty one weekend and my younger bro wanted to go climbing in Arthurs Pass which Dad and mum thought was a really stupid idea. I agreed with them as I reckoned the SAR didn't need another grop of folks to go rescue from the snow, not sure he ever forgave me....

Sure was cold though!

Heaters in cars? Pah! Mums Mini had an aftermarket electric heater that was utterly useless as did dads work hack Austin A40 Devon Countryman estate which was slightly less useless but the 'god' car was a VC Valiant Regal and it had a pretty good heater from memory!

My car? Pish! Ya wiped the frost off and kept a rag handy to wipe off the mist inside and that was it... Visor for ya helmet? What helmet?

Hitcher

3rd July 2006, 18:25

1972 and I was a fifth former at Stratford High. School C year. The last year ever when School C maths involved sitting two two-hour papers. And yes, it was extremely cold. But that was probably due to the fact that I wasn't allowed to wear long trousers until I become a sixth former.

3rd July 2006, 18:38

I was in my second year at school, and still completely unimpressed by the whole thing. I was living in Kawerau and the wind that blew off Mt Tarawera most winters was pretty crisp. I remember one year there was snow on Mt Edgecome – I don’t know if it was that year.

Anyway – global warming – yep, that’s what’s done it…oh wait...

Big Dave

3rd July 2006, 19:36

I was in year 9 (2nd form) at Sydney Technical High School and riding a CL90 around the park in balmy conditions every afternoon - all year round.

*sigh*

Joni

3rd July 2006, 19:39

I was being born :D

But so that this is not a complete thread hijack... yup its damn cold!!!:cold:

Titanium

3rd July 2006, 19:40

Still taking a dump in cloth nappies ........ living in Twizel care of the ministry of works...... Freezing cold most likely.

Big Dave

3rd July 2006, 19:51

My car? Pish! Ya wiped the frost off and kept a rag handy to wipe off the mist inside and that was it... Visor for ya helmet? What helmet?

So all we have to do is work out how to extract the perma frost from the core of motus brain and we can do 'Jurassic Kiwi'!!!

This amusement park with John Rowles and flares and paisley theme and it all goes bad.

jazbug5

3rd July 2006, 20:21

I was being born :D

But so that this is not a complete thread hijack... yup its damn cold!!!:cold:

Er... I just worked out that I was conceived that month!

I feel a bit wierd now...

P.S. It's really hot over here. 31 degrees... ha ha ha *snicker*

Mr. Peanut

3rd July 2006, 20:23

Anyway – global warming – yep, that’s what’s done it…oh wait...

Global warming = climate change = colder winters:wait:

I'm sick of the ironic comments regarding this. :nono:

3rd July 2006, 20:27

Global warming = climate change = colder winters:wait:

I'm sick of the ironic comments regarding this. :nono:

Ahh, and you must be a 19 year old global climate expert!

I am sick of people who constantly believe the sky is falling when it clearly is not.

RT527

3rd July 2006, 20:34

Yeah I just remember June she sure was cold!!!!!!!:gob: :blip: :innocent:

Mind you I was 3 at the time so really I dont remember much

Big Dave

3rd July 2006, 20:40

Ahh, and you must be a 19 year old global climate expert!

I am sick of people who constantly believe the sky is falling when it clearly is not.

The notable scientists and organisations who are saying 'there is a problem' doesn't concern you?

Mr. Peanut

3rd July 2006, 20:40

Ahh, and you must be a 19 year old global climate expert!

I am sick of people who constantly believe the sky is falling when it clearly is not.

I'm no expert, but the ironic comment about colder weather - global warming is misguided. If the weather is extreme then surely this is evidence of climate change.

And the sky fell a long time ago.

Colapop

3rd July 2006, 20:40

I remember '72. Dammit!! I was about to start school. I think it snowed on the Taka's or somewhere close to Wainui (the old man never had enough dosh to take us to an actual mountain) but it was fun anyway. I remember the snow being soo cold and my fingers hurting. Dad drank beer with the guy from next door.

sels1

3rd July 2006, 20:41

1972.....pedelling off to 3rd form in those horrible grey uniform shorts in the middle of winter....

Global warming = climate change = colder winters:
:

ironic but true ...the extra heat energy transfering around the atmosphere causing more extreme weather events - Europe heat waves, Monsoon off track in Asia, USA hurricanes, and we got snow.

Jantar

3rd July 2006, 21:04

The notable scientists and organisations who are saying 'there is a problem' doesn't concern you?
As a journalist I would have expected you to research infomation like this and not just repeat the political line.

Have a look at http://www.climatescience.org.nz/ and you'll see that the most respected climate scientists are not saying "there is a problem".

ironic but true ...the extra heat energy transfering around the atmosphere causing more extreme weather events - Europe heat waves, Monsoon off track in Asia, USA hurricanes, and we got snow.

However, if the global warming models are correct then there would be far fewer extreme weather events. The GW theory predicts that warming would commence in the polar regions then slowly move to the temperate areas then the sub-tropics. The equatorial regions would remain almost unchanged. Extreme weather patterns depend on a large temperature gradient. As the earth warms, the temperature gradient would decrease.

The effects you describe are more closely aligned with the el-nino/la-nina cycle than with GW.

MattRSK

3rd July 2006, 21:05

The notable scientists and organisations who are saying 'there is a problem' doesn't concern you?
I would have to go with Augie Auer on that issue... Bullshit.

Big Dave

3rd July 2006, 21:15

As a journalist I would have expected you to research infomation like this and not just repeat the political line.

Just like Time and Life magazines journalists didn't?
They sure don't agree with you.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/03/26/coverstory/index.html
And neither do I.

Not sure what the National geographic society says currently - last time i looked it was 'careful'. They seem to do a bit of research too.

That's enough for me.

Jantar

3rd July 2006, 21:46

Just like Time and Life magazines journalists didn't?
They sure don't agree with you.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/03/26/coverstory/index.html
And neither do I.

Not sure what the National geographic society says currently - last time i looked it was 'careful'. They seem to do a bit of research too.

That's enough for me.

Time have had articles expressing beliefs in both direction. Life is more green biased, as is National Geographic. However even National Geographic have reported the international doubt on Mann's hockey stick model.

I would suggest that you read the actual scientific papers rather than rely on what is expressed in the public media.

750Y

3rd July 2006, 22:05

My fire has been going non-stop... at the start of last year i split about 4 average years worth of wood, I will burn 3 years supply of wood this winter, dam 12 foot studs & no curtains!.

Big Dave

3rd July 2006, 22:09

Time have had articles expressing beliefs in both direction. Life is more green biased, as is National Geographic. However even National Geographic have reported the international doubt on Mann's hockey stick model.

I would suggest that you read the actual scientific papers rather than rely on what is expressed in the public media.

No thanks - I don't care that much. You questioned my research - thats it.
Enough intelligent and professionally responsible people in publications I would dream of working for have looked at enough different science papers to be concerned.
That's all I need to know. That's all i am. I wouldn't like to go the way of the dinosaur.

I don't know if they (greenhouse gasses) are responsible - I do know that it's much easier to get sunburt now than when I was a kid - and I see the scum in the air over Waiheke yesterday and resolve I will try and reduce my own greenhouse gasses and continue to ride a modern efficient motorcycle.

Apart from that - whatever.

Ixion

3rd July 2006, 22:16

I remember 1972 and how cold it was.. But everything was colder back then..
,,

My car? Pish! Ya wiped the frost off and kept a rag handy to wipe off the mist inside and that was it... Visor for ya helmet? What helmet?

If you cranked the windscreen open (yes, cars had opening windscreens then) you didn't have to worry about the mist.

I remember 1972. PA Velox, and the SpeedTwin.

'Twas a cold year , that, but I reckon 1954 was colder.

myvice

3rd July 2006, 22:23

Ya old farts!:nya:
I wasn’t born for another two years!
‘Tis bloody cold now tho…

Big Dave

3rd July 2006, 22:24

If you cranked the windscreen open (yes, cars had opening windscreens then) you didn't have to worry about the mist.

I remember 1972. PA Velox, and the SpeedTwin.

'Twas a cold year , that, but I reckon 1954 was colder.

It was already an old bike by then, the speed twin - 't bonneville had been around 13 years?

Ixion

3rd July 2006, 22:29

I was poor. I couldn't afford new bikes. I got the speedTwin cheap cos it had a blown head gasket (gee, what a surprise. Blurdy 8 stud heads). Got the PA cheap cos it needed kingpins done. Welcome to my world.

Big Dave

3rd July 2006, 22:47

3rd July 2006, 22:56

The notable scientists and organisations who are saying 'there is a problem' doesn't concern you?

Nope not one bit. See below.

3rd July 2006, 23:15

I'm no expert, but the ironic comment about colder weather - global warming is misguided. If the weather is extreme then surely this is evidence of climate change.[...]

The weather has always had extremes and is always changing. We are existing in a tiny little part of the earth's history where the weather is mostly good so personally I don't feel the need to freak out about it.

Humans have always fretted about natural phenomenon - pleading with the gods not to send another flood, another drought, or another earthquake - usually believing that it was somehow all their fault that these things were happening.

Now we have global warming (which somehow now magically includes cold - or what I call "global colding") and in my opinion, it is closely related to other "Chicken Licken" issues like that old classic, "Y2K" or more recently "Bird Flu".

That's just my opinion of course.

[...]And the sky fell a long time ago.

:laugh:

Mr. Peanut

4th July 2006, 06:48

Humans have always fretted about natural phenomenon - pleading with the gods not to send another flood, another drought, or another earthquake - usually believing that it was somehow all their fault that these things were happening.
Yeah ok, but when was the last time the earth looked like this?

Lou Girardin

4th July 2006, 11:44

In May '77 I had just started with the MOT. That first winter was one of repeated frosts and 6.00AM starts to be on the Northern M/way for the start of the shift. The issue gloves were so crap that they cut off circulation to your fingers and made the cold worse, so every 5 - 10 k's it was a case of pulling over, putting the gloves on the engine and thawing your hands against the cases.
I'd never been so cold in my life.

sels1

4th July 2006, 11:58

The effects you describe are more closely aligned with the el-nino/la-nina cycle than with GW.

Not necessarily. Have a look here:

http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_evd.htm#Weather

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change

Temperatures have been measured world wide for over a hundred years. The planet is getting warmer, that is a measured and recorded fact.
The (average) temp started rising in the late 1800s and has mirrored the rise in the use of fossil fuels and pollution. This of course may just be a coincidence, but the majority of scientists think not. Still, a lot of them have a vested interest in scaring up research funds, and some are paid by big corporations (particulaly those close to the Bush administration) to say there is no problem. Who to believe? and is it better to be safe than sorry....?

Sniper

4th July 2006, 12:09

Yeah ok, but when was the last time the earth looked like this?

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0011/earthlights2_dmsp_big.jpg

Shit yea.... No wonder there is a problem.
You see how much electricity New Zealand uses compared to other islands? Our damn country is like a floating christmas tree.

....and some are paid by big corporations (particulaly those close to the Bush administration) to say there is no problem. Who to believe? and is it better to be safe than sorry....?
A conspiricy I spy here.

scumdog

4th July 2006, 12:13

Was driving a '49 V8 F-1, it was so cold that the heater core INSIDE froze and split!

And the engine overheated as the water in the radiator froze - and the engine water couldn't circulate.

And the world MAY be getting warmer (but not down here at the mo.) but so what?

Big Dave

4th July 2006, 12:34

Squeak the Rat

4th July 2006, 13:00

Bloody warm today in Waiwhakamukau. Global warming must have kicked in over night.......

Hows July treating our Lower South Island friends....

Squeak the Rat

4th July 2006, 13:05

Big Dave

4th July 2006, 13:16

Bloody warm today in Waiwhakamukau.

Thats easy for you to say - But it reads 'why fuck a moo cow' ????

The_Dover

4th July 2006, 13:20

Thats easy for you to say - But it reads 'why fuck a moo cow' ????

Cos they're easier to catch than sheep.

Squeak the Rat

4th July 2006, 13:37

I'm quite tall....

Sniper

4th July 2006, 13:43

So what Global Warming going to do to me? Will it stop me riding a bike? If it has no direct effect on me then It doesnt intrest me.

Jantar

4th July 2006, 14:01

Not necessarily. Have a look here:

http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_evd.htm#Weather

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change

Temperatures have been measured world wide for over a hundred years. The planet is getting warmer, that is a measured and recorded fact.
The (average) temp started rising in the late 1800s and has mirrored the rise in the use of fossil fuels and pollution. This of course may just be a coincidence, but the majority of scientists think not. Still, a lot of them have a vested interest in scaring up research funds, and some are paid by big corporations (particulaly those close to the Bush administration) to say there is no problem. Who to believe? and is it better to be safe than sorry....?

Your first link is to the Hadley centre in the UK. Their data has already been discredited as being both land based and ,whats more, city based. It has not been corrected for UHI.

The sewcond link to NewScientist is just a collection of links to what are mainly news items. The only pseudo-scientific parts all refer to Mann Bradley & Hughes and the now infamousa hockey stick. Yes some of them do replicate the Hockey stick, but it has now been shown that using Mann's algorithm that even random data will give a hockey stick result.

As for world temperature being recorded for over a hundred years? Sorry, but there are very few weather stations with unbroken accurate records spanning that length of time, and no fixed sea based stations prior to 1972.

The only truely global temerature measurement is the MSU data which has only been recorded since 1979.

Jantar

4th July 2006, 14:09

Global warming.

Number of unbiased & reputable scientists who say it is real: SHIT LOADS

Number of unbiased & reputable scientists who say it's a crock: SOME

So who's right? I dunno, but I'd put my money on the first group. And keep an open mind that they might be wrong.....

Safer to assume they are right and turn out wrong than the other way around.

Yes there are SHIT LOADS of unbiased & reputable scientists who say it is real. But very few climate or physical scientists.

Yes there are SOME unbiased & reputable scientists who say it's a crock. Unfortunately for your argument the SOME just happen to outnumber the SHIT LOADS in the actual field of climatology.

The reason we here about the SHIT LOADS, but not the SOME is mainly political. The IPCC in preparing their Climate reports get SHIT LOADS of climate scientists from all over the world to write reports, and each report is on a small section and targeted at an outcome. These reports are then combined to make it appear as though ALL the contributing scientist are unaminous in their combined view. Last year one New Zealand Scientist resigned as leader of the team investigating Hurricane occurrance, when he was told what his report would say before he had even completed his research.

sels1

4th July 2006, 16:07

As for world temperature being recorded for over a hundred years? Sorry, but there are very few weather stations with unbroken accurate records spanning that length of time.

Weather observations began in NZ in the 1850s, many nations were already doing obs by then. Some lighthouses in the UK go back even further. Army Forts in the American West were doing obs in the 1870s as were lighthouses and ports thoughout the British Empire.(on which the sun never set)
Some of NZs oldest observing sites:
Dunedin Botanical Gardens 1852
Auckland Albert Park 1853
Christchurch 1864
Napier 1862
Hokitika 1866
Queenstown 1871
Fairwell Spit lighthouse 1874
Puysegur Point lighthouse 1880
This from a list of NZs 38 oldest sites, all 38 over 100 years old. (Most of these sites still reporting today)
The story is the same in most countries, especially where British and European colonists had some influence.

Lou Girardin

4th July 2006, 16:37

Cos they're easier to catch than sheep.

But you need platform gumboots.

Squeak the Rat

4th July 2006, 17:42

Last year one New Zealand Scientist resigned as leader of the team investigating Hurricane occurrance, when he was told what his report would say before he had even completed his research.
Tell me more.......

Jantar

4th July 2006, 19:32

Tell me more.......
Here is the open letter from Chris Landsea to his colleagues explaining his resignation.
http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/science_policy_general/000318chris_landsea_leaves.html

Jantar

4th July 2006, 20:12

Sorry, I got one point wrong. It wasn't Chris Landsea who was the New Zealand Scientist, it was Dr. Kevin Trenberth. Dr Trenberth announced to a public conference what Dr Landsea's research would find for the IPCC, even before the research had been completed. This put Chris Landsea in an impossible position of either having to fabricate results to meet the desired outcome or to carry on and present real results in defiance of his boss. He took the honorable option and resigned while making his reasons public.