Post by paddy234 on Jun 4, 2022 2:33:02 GMT -5
This thread is a carry over discussion from another thread. I feel it deserves it's own thread to clarify things. When trying to picture a climate in our minds we factor in many variables however comparisons are also largely made based on our own experiences. For example if one has been to Spain, then seeing a statistical comparison to let's say areas in South Australia they will automatically think of Spain because they can relate to it. Now while this may work in some areas in the world one such nation this doesn't work for is New Zealand. I'm going to show you below similarities and differences that New Zealand has with Northern and Southern Europe that make it totally different to Europe and only relatable in certain geographical areas and seasons.
Let's look at New Zealand's cities according to Wikipedia which isn't fully accurate but will use this to compare all the cities using the same source
Invercargill: Max Temp:19C Min Temp:1C Annual Sunshine hours:1682 Rainy days:162. UV rating:1-12
Christchurch: Max Temp: 23C Min Temp:1C Annual Sunshine hours:2141 Rainy days:82 UV rating:1-14
Wellington: Max Temp:20.5C Min Temp:6C Annual Sunshine hours:2058 Rainy days:124 UV Rating:1-14
Auckland: Max Temp: 24C Min Temp:7C Annual Sunshine hours:2003 Rainy days:135 UV rating:1-16
European Cities
Edinburgh: Max Temp:19.5C Min Temp:1.5C Annual Sunshine hours:1449 Rainy days:128 UV rating:1-8
London: Max Temp:24C Min Temp:3C Annual Sunshine hours:1674 Rainy days:111 UV rating:1-8
Bordeaux: Max Temp:27C Min Temp:3C Annual Sunshine hours:2035 Rainy days:124 UV rating: 1-8
Barcelona: Max Temp:29C Min Temp:9C Annual Sunshine hours:2524 Rainy days:78 UV rating: 1-9
As you can see based solely off temperatures New Zealand in summer is more like Northern Europe and in winter especially the North Island more like southern Europe, it's sunshine hours nationwide are more like southern Europe however it's the UV rating that New Zealand truly differs from and it's this that can make the sun burn even in mid winter. I can verify this from experience. A sunny day of 24C in New Zealand and Australia due to severe UV exposure to the skin will always feel hotter than anywhere in Europe at the same temperature, of course this is also why Skin Cancer is highest in this part of the world. Large numbers of fair skinned people exposing themselves to a UV that is typically found in nations where most people are dark skinned.
Let's look at New Zealand's cities according to Wikipedia which isn't fully accurate but will use this to compare all the cities using the same source
Invercargill: Max Temp:19C Min Temp:1C Annual Sunshine hours:1682 Rainy days:162. UV rating:1-12
Christchurch: Max Temp: 23C Min Temp:1C Annual Sunshine hours:2141 Rainy days:82 UV rating:1-14
Wellington: Max Temp:20.5C Min Temp:6C Annual Sunshine hours:2058 Rainy days:124 UV Rating:1-14
Auckland: Max Temp: 24C Min Temp:7C Annual Sunshine hours:2003 Rainy days:135 UV rating:1-16
European Cities
Edinburgh: Max Temp:19.5C Min Temp:1.5C Annual Sunshine hours:1449 Rainy days:128 UV rating:1-8
London: Max Temp:24C Min Temp:3C Annual Sunshine hours:1674 Rainy days:111 UV rating:1-8
Bordeaux: Max Temp:27C Min Temp:3C Annual Sunshine hours:2035 Rainy days:124 UV rating: 1-8
Barcelona: Max Temp:29C Min Temp:9C Annual Sunshine hours:2524 Rainy days:78 UV rating: 1-9
As you can see based solely off temperatures New Zealand in summer is more like Northern Europe and in winter especially the North Island more like southern Europe, it's sunshine hours nationwide are more like southern Europe however it's the UV rating that New Zealand truly differs from and it's this that can make the sun burn even in mid winter. I can verify this from experience. A sunny day of 24C in New Zealand and Australia due to severe UV exposure to the skin will always feel hotter than anywhere in Europe at the same temperature, of course this is also why Skin Cancer is highest in this part of the world. Large numbers of fair skinned people exposing themselves to a UV that is typically found in nations where most people are dark skinned.
