Is this as cold as it will get this year? Quite likely, writes Philip Duncan

"I have this absolute fear of nuclear energy. Whenever I've been overseas and driven near a nuclear reactor I've been worried. But I can't really explain why," writes Philip Duncan.

The unsettled and relatively mild weather is continuing across New Zealand this week with more severe weather in the forecast, writes Philip Duncan.

This week is literally ending on a high, but all is about to change as the weather reminds us that winter isn’t all about frosty mornings and beautiful blue dome days.

Philip Duncan blogs on using the weather to your advantage.

This is your typical winter set up now. Frosty conditions south of Auckland, wet underfoot everywhere and most trees have now lost their leaves, except from about Waikato northwards.

BP's PR department seems to be working harder than those trying to actually stop the leak.

From droughts to floods in the blink of aneye.

Are parts of New Zealand about to go under water?

Skiers and snowboarders have a lot to worry about at the moment as our nation’s ski resorts remain mostly natural snow free.

Is there a massive government conspiracy developing in the skies over New Zealand?

The weekend’s rough weather in the North Island definitely marked a major turning point in our weather - this is just the start of wetter things to come.

I mentioned the other week about how “sick and tired” I was for paying so many rates and having, what I feel, is a fairly average service in return.

A weather presenter on Friday night kicked off the weather segment by telling Northland farmers that good rain is finally on the way this weekend.

Make the most of the warmth - it won't be long before winter sneaks up on us.