Australia has experienced some rather weird weather in the past week or so, particularly along the east coast.
Tropical Cyclone Jasper has played havoc with the plans of holiday makers in Queensland’s far north. Friends of mine have just cancelled a planned week-long retreat at a Port Douglas resort. Of course northern Australia is no stranger to cyclones, but their formation in early December is quite rare. To the best of my knowledge, cyclone season normally begins up there in late December, lasting through the next couple of months.
The unusual weather pattern has also had an effect down south. Adelaide has experienced some unseasonably heavy falls of rain and Melbourne this week had storms carried on a warm front.
Cold fronts are very common in Victoria. Warm fronts are extremely rare. So, as a self-confessed ‘weather-head’ I got pretty excited by this phenomenon.
As someone who ticks a lot of ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ boxes, my obsession with weather facts is not very surprising. Being a lifelong Melbourne resident makes it even less so.
A lot of Melburnians love talking about the weather, but ‘a lot’ is not ‘all’. I have enough awareness to know that not everyone will share my excitement about an unusual weather event. And to know that some people have no interest at all in talking about the weather.
Weather is a pretty boring subject for most – except when it has a direct impact on their lives. But I will happily discuss potential ‘hottest day since’ and ‘highest rainfall total’ records with those who share my interest.
Do you ever talk about the weather in passing? Or is the mere mention of the topic enough for you to say, “I just remembered I’m late for an appointment,” and get away as quickly as possible?
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