Nice weather!

Now I've got my mum worried I might as well talk about the weather. The Southwest Pacific has two seasons effectively. Cyclone season and not cyclone season. Cyclone season is October to May when the water is warm. They usually get 2 cyclones above category 3 and a heap of smaller storms. Thunderstorms peak between December and March.

Tropical cyclone paths

Added to that there are earthquakes fairly regularly. One last year (magnitude 8.1) caused a 5-10m high tsunami. 900 homes were destroyed and over 50 people were killed.

Earthquake locations

If we go flying it may be a bit bumpy. It may also be a bit sticky. Each day is 27-30 degrees. In fact the average mean daily temperature only varies by 2 degrees throughout the year. Humidity also remains fairly constant at above 80%. Annual rainfall is measured in meters - anywhere from 3 to 9. December is a transition month for the equatorial trough, (I have no idea what this is), what it means is a time of "exceptionally heavy rain".

Every time I've travelled in the tropics I've consciously thought "thank god I don't have to work in this weather!" I have to say I am not looking forward to the constant perspiration, drinking water, feeling drained cycle. It often takes a couple of weeks to acclimatise to the change. Here in Adelaide its unseasonably cool, in the 20's which is no preparation at all.