SOUTHERLY BUSTER Meaning and
Definition
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A "southerly buster" refers to a meteorological phenomenon characterized by a strong cold front moving across southeastern Australia, particularly affecting coastal areas. This term is predominantly used in the context of Australia and New Zealand. The name "southerly buster" is derived from the fact that the cold front is associated with a sudden, powerful, and often gusty southerly wind change.
Generally, a southerly buster occurs during the summer months when a high-pressure system dominates over the Tasman Sea and a low-pressure system develops inland. As the high-pressure system weakens, it allows a burst of cold air to sweep northwards, colliding with the warm, moist northerly winds along the southeastern coast. This collision forms a strong atmospheric boundary, leading to a rapid drop in temperature, an abrupt change in wind direction, and often intense rainfall.
A southerly buster brings significant weather changes, which can include thunderstorms, heavy downpours, hail, and occasionally even snowfall in mountainous regions. The sudden arrival of sustained, powerful gusts can pose risks to maritime activities, coastal regions, and people participating in outdoor activities. This type of weather event can cause sudden drops in temperature, making it important to take necessary precautions to avoid hypothermia or exposure.
As a defining characteristic of the Australian and New Zealand climate, the southerly buster is closely monitored by meteorological services, and warning systems are in place to provide information and alerts in affected areas.
Etymology of SOUTHERLY BUSTER
The term "southerly buster" is primarily used in the Australian region to describe a specific weather phenomenon. It refers to a strong, cold, and gusty wind that blows from the south, commonly associated with the arrival of a cold front.
The etymology of "southerly buster" can be traced back to two components:
1. Southerly: "Southerly" simply means coming from the south or situated towards the south. It is derived from the word "south", which ultimately comes from the Old English word "sūþ" and the Proto-Germanic word "sunthaz".
2. Buster: "Buster" is a colloquial term or slang used in Australian English to describe a strong and forceful wind or storm. It is believed to have originated from a British dialectal expression "blast", which refers to a sudden, strong gust of wind.
