Cheat Sheet: Why is New Zealand so obsessed with the weather? – Stuff

As a nation, New Zealand cannot get enough of the weather.

Tales of storms, and temperature- and weather-related chaos, attract readers en masse. Scroll through any social media timeline after a decent storm and feeds are inundated with photos of the carnage.

We crunched the numbers and spoke to Ben Noll, meteorologist at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), to find out why Kiwis love a bit of weather.

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NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll, who is from the US, has found Kiwis to be more obsessed with weather than most.

Is the weather even that big of a deal, though?

You bet it is. People love it. Weather articles on stuff.co.nz consistently get a massive response. In May, Stuff weather stories accumulated 3,572,484 page views. To date, June weather stories have already generated 1,375,620 views. It is not just a winter thing either. In January, weather stories earned just shy of 7 million views.

Okay, but surely youd get that with any country?

According to Noll, you absolutely do. The US-born meteorologist says most people assume the US is the truly obsessed, weather-loving nation. After all, they have some pretty exciting stuff going on. From tornado chasers, to hurricanes and snow storms, the US has it all.

But pretty much every country thinks it has the weather obsession crown, Noll says.

So NZs fascination isnt all that special then?

Actually yes, it is. While every country may think they are smitten with weather, we Kiwis really love it. Noll says as an American he noticed New Zealand makes a pretty good case for being the most obsessed.

Okay, but why weather?

For a start, the diversity of the weather we get in New Zealand makes for great conversation. Weather talk is an easy elevator icebreaker, and the fact our weather has a bit of everything makes it exciting enough to keep coming back for more.

The combination of whats going on on land, and being surrounded by this massive ocean on all sides adds to the allure, Noll says.

It helps that winter is filled with storm stories and the odd tornado, too.

BRAD MACKAY/FACEBOOK

Waikanae resident captured this video of the tornado coming through on his CCTV. .

So we just love the chaos?

Youd think so, but nope. Noll says while winter generates some pretty intense weather chat, our summer weather obsession is just as strong. In fact, the NIWA team have a running joke about New Zealands Christmas forecast.

In the build up to summer, the NIWA team has a bit of a bet going as to when the first reporter will call, looking for a Christmas day forecast.

It usually happens in September or October but of course we can't provide a specific forecast for a day a few months in advance. Nevertheless, every year it seems to happen.

But if we love any old story, what makes a truly great one?

It pretty much comes down to what will be memorable for you.

For Noll, that story was his wedding in February 2022. It was the day cyclone Dovi arrived.

He said a wedding day would be the one day you really would not want a tropical cyclone to make landfall, and the irony is not lost on him that he, a meteorologist, picked a cyclone day to tie the knot.

I think something that creates that memorable experience, tying that human side of things, would make the best story.

Hang on, you mean this obsession is just so we have something to talk about?

Well, yeah, pretty much.

Noll says it makes for the easiest conversation starter, no matter the social situation.

Its like that ubiquitous chatter, it's an icebreaker for every situation.

Supplied

Winter has arrived with snowfall of up to 40cm falling in parts of the South Island.

Cant we just chat about any old thing?

Sure, but the weather is something that impacts everything and everyone. Noll says it brings people together, when people are pretty divided over a lot of issues.

Theres no way around it. Its one of those things where everyones in it together. You can have your own opinions about things, but the weather is the weather.

Do I need to understand it before striking a conversation?

Not really, but Noll suggests an understanding of the science behind a weather app can prove useful.

Anyone can be a weather forecaster in the year 2022, but if someone asks you about a phenomenon are you able to explain it or are you just a weather app-caster? he says.

I cant even scroll through my social media feed without seeing weather posts, whats that about?

It adds to the excitement, says Noll.

Social media has taken it up a level. We see people who are thrilled to send in photos of clouds and tornados or big waves. Were able to see these events from different angles almost in real time because of that, he says.

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Cheat Sheet: Why is New Zealand so obsessed with the weather? - Stuff