Great Weather Lockdowns Silver Lining

Scientists believe lockdowns and great weather are connected. Lockdowns effect: cloud formation, sky colour, clarity, and unsurprisingly; air quality. How exciting to then realize from Auckland to Mumbai extraordinary weather is occurring. Yesterday, I walked up Mt Eden and witnessed panoramic views for miles. Today, I visited Cheltenham beach (on the North shore) and glimpsed pristine views. I even spotted a lighthouse far off in the distance. I had almost forgotten existed. A couple of years back, the Chinese invented a term for ultra-blue skies; the direct result of reducing air pollution. They named them 'APEC blue' skies. In honour of meetings by national representatives who convened to limit air pollution. But, the thing about 'APEC blue' skies is; they're beautiful, but also fleeting. So if you see one in the sky when you look up, enjoy it. Because you never know how long, or if you are ever going to see another one, again.

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Expert opinions from relevant news articles:

'The dramatic improvements in air quality associated with the corona-virus lockdown could increase sunlight and affect weather patterns, scientists say.' (1)

'Looking straight up, the sky here was a remarkable shade of dark blue, almost Pantone ultraviolet. In my best meteorological opinion, this breathtaking colour was due to a combination of a high pressure system overhead on a sunny spring day mixed with the effects of this pandemic: fewer clouds due to a 90% reduction of airplanes in the sky and a sharp drop in air pollution from the shuttering of factories and freeways. As I researched a little further, my suspicion was confirmed: bluer skies aren’t just happening here in Minnesota, they’re happening all around the world.' (2)

'Dr Shashi Tharoor, a politician and author who has been vocal on environmental issues, said he hoped that it was a wake-up call. “The blissful sight of blue skies and the joy of breathing clean air provides just the contrast to illustrate what we are doing to ourselves the rest of the time,” said Tharoor. “Today the typical Delhi AQI hovers around 30 and one blissful afternoon, after a spurt of rain, it dropped to 7.” (3)

Sources:

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References:

1) https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/13/drop-in-pollution-may-bring-hotter-weather-and-heavier-monsoons

2)

https://thecorrespondent.com/398/remember-you-are-alive-and-a-better-world-is-possible/52689882322-fd7d1e42

3)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/11/positively-alpine-disbelief-air-pollution-falls-lockdown-coronavirus