Top 5 for Friday - Weather Words

The weather this week is making all of us feel a little stir-crazy. Apparently there is also an equinox and a full-moon so if you feel the urge to howl at the moon over the weekend, you will know why. Certainly the wind has made a fair impact to many.

Which is where the inspiration came from for today's Top 5 blog. Why not write about the weather? Has anyone else thought to wax winningly or winsomely about rain, clouds, hail or (dare I say it) wind? The short answer is "of course they have".

Ken Ring is the first person to spring to mind, probably because of his comments on the predictability (or otherwise) of earthquakes in relation to the moon and weather patterns. Some farmers swear by his forecasts and Rodney Libraries carry a number of his titles.

El Nino : the weather phenomenon that changed the world by Ross Couper-Johnston. We've all heard of El Nino, but how many of us really understand what it means. From bush fires to floods, this book helps to explain just what the impact of El Nino might be.

The Perfect Storm is the DVD based on a book of the same name by Sebastian Junger. Both recreate the last days of the six men who disappeared from their boat, 'Andrea Gail', during the so-called 'Halloween' gale off the coast of Gloucester, USA. in 1991.

Nothing but Blue Skies is just a dream for most of New Zealand at the moment, but in this case is actually the title of a book by a comic novel by Tom Holt. There are very many reasons why British summers are either non-existent or, alternatively, held on a Thursday. Many of these reasons are either scientific, dull, or both - but all of them are wrong. The real reason is, of course, irritable Chinese Water Dragons; of which estate agent Karen is one.

Weather is also a metaphor used in many novels as a mirror for the emotions and actions of the principal characters. I remember this from my school days (yes - I do still remember some of what my teachers taught me). One that springs instantly to mind is the classic Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The storms rage during climactic scenes while during the romance, the weather is calm and settled. You can see and read this for yourself as we have this classic in both book and DVD formats.

It was extremely strange but pleasant to step outside this morning and find the wind had dropped to a mere robust breeze. Hopefully it will remain that way for the weekend. Have a good one all.