This blog is about the weather at the Chatham Islands.
The weather here at the Chatham Islands’ is unpredictable at the best of times. This is my fifth trip back to this wonderful land that is made up of different cultures and viewpoints, which add to the excitement of learning new things and perspectives from a broad range of people. Getting back to the topic at hand being the weather, I have seen it at its best and at its worst when Mother Nature lashes out with force.
The first trip I had here with my friend Julian Snelgrove the director of Dive Planet NZ was to setup the Great White shark diving with Valentine Croon of Chatham Hotel in August of 2010. On this particular trip we had an assortment of weather with great sunny, yet cool days to other days where the wind was gusting to 140kmph with heavy squally rain. The sea temperature during August was around 12 degrees Celsius with an air temperature that would not climb much above that. At night the temperature would drop into single digits and that was a cold like I had never felt before that felt like a thousand needles being blasted through you by the south-westerly winds.
Visitors that venture to the beautiful Chatham Islands’’ should dress accordingly and even if it is in the summer months when the temp can soar to the mid to high 20’s during the day, a jacket should always be close at hand for when the sun sets. The evening and night temps in summer can still get quite brisk.
Four Seasons in One Day
I find it quite strange how the weather can change so quickly, one minute it is fine and hot and you may be dressed only in shorts and then a short time later you may have high winds and drizzle before returning to be a beautiful day again. It can be like having four seasons in one day, no matter what month of the year that you are in. This summer season that is now leaving us has been reported to me by the locals as being uncharacteristic due to the cooler conditions to previous years.
When you are working out here at the Chatham Islands’ as we have recently started to do with a painting and tiling business, creates its own frustrations as you move around the building avoiding the onslaught of bad weather. Even though this is frustrating it is not unworkable like it is with the Great White Shark Diving as out there you get no mercy from the forces imposed by Mother Nature.
Meaning of Rekohu
The Chatham Islands are known by the name of Rekohu meaning misty skies, or misty land. This is very much the case as the mist over the islands can come in thick and fast stopping almost all activities. There have been cases where flights were cancelled in severe conditions, especially between Pitt Island and the main island. This weather pattern also offers some unique opportunities for photographers or videographers, capturing unique images and footage of the surrounded by fog and drizzle.
Gearing up for the Chatham Islands
Here is a list of things that you should include when you take an amazing adventure holiday to this magical and mystical destination.
In summer you really want to include:
• A torch as they will come handy due to no lights at the Chatham’s
• Take extra warm clothing for after dark as it may cool significantly
• Make sure you have at a minimum a drizzle proof wind breaker
• Don’t forget that Bennie as this will be needed on cooler nights
• Make sure you have extra pairs of socks, there isa nothing worse than getting cold wet feet
Winter Conditions
• All of the above for summer
• Bring a really good rain coat and pants as you will appreciate having them here.
• Make sure you have a secondary pair of shoes
• Gumboots are also ideal as they will keep you toasty warm
For more information about the Beautiful Chatham Islands' Contact me Paul Morris
My next Blog will be about the Legendary Admiral Farm!
Take care and Dive Safe Friends!
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