Ken Ring's 2013 New Zealand Weather Almanac product reviews

My father absolutely loves Ken Ring and his weather predictions, he has owned these books in the past and found them useful for going to sea fishing and for his garden. There is much controversy that surrounds Ken Ring, and on the first page of his book he states his "Disclaimer" and takes no responsibility for anyone's actions on the basis of his information. He outlines his thesis on potential rather than prediction which helped me understand how his theories work. This was a great way to start the book, so no one is under any false pretences!

The book is very large and in the beginning all the information was too much to take in. Almost everyday for the two weeks I've looked at this book and gradually have become more aware of the science and theories behind it, although there is so much more in this book - i cannot wait till 2013 so I can actually put the book to good use and see what happens!

The book looks at gardening and the best times to plant vegetables regarding the moon cycles - I'm no gardener so this goes slightly above me! Although I'm no fishing-lass I know a fair bit about fishing as its in the blood so to speak! The book explains perigees (something I knew nothing of before i started reading!) swells, tides and times of the day/month/year and it is fantastic as it relates the various circumstances back to different fish types and includes fish from all regions. Often most books and TV shows regarding fishing base themselves around North Island fishing - so wonderful for the South to get a look in! There is a lot of farming information included in the book as well.

A lot of the book uses statistics and I find statistics a bit vague at times - but i guess it can be useful in comparative terms. The summary of monthly weather states things such as "March: North Island - 32% wetter than average. South Island - 45% wetter than average. I'm from no science background so statements like this infuriate me - perhaps its useful for someone?! Moving further into the book, there are also summary's at the beginning of each diary month which are more helpful - they explain extreme weather and give dates with more explanatory information - (This is more like what I'm after!!)

We have two weddings to attend on the 16th of Feb so as soon as I got the book i found the date and checked out what the weather was doing. ALAS! Dunedin: Partly cloudy, fine, moderate. Could be better - but glad its not worse! Hopefully Ken has this one correct!!

Possibly my favourite part of the book is the last two pages - SNOW EXPECTATIONS! This is seriously cool to have the information condensed and separated. On Aug 3rd it is suggested that the Desert Road may of been closed for 10 days already!! WOW .. It would of been nice for this section to be more suggestive of cities and towns rather than regions - but its one section I will watch closely over winter. We live up on the hill in Dunedin and snow is always an issue a couple of times a year for me when I can't get the car out. (*first world problems!*)

The book contains many charts and graphs - all in small font that deter me from wanting to examine them - I would of liked to of seen these in a better format. The book is also bound with a spiral binder, I really really wish that it was bound properly as I find the binders unravel, and pages come loose. Spending $50.00 on a book that has a spiral binder would put me off but Ken Ring is so unique if you were a fan of his work it I believe that you would buy it regardless of this.

Overall this is a very interesting book, it would make an awesome Christmas present for someone that's a bit hard to buy for - but enjoys gardening/fishing or farming (or watching the weather in general!)