The CWU Team – an inside look behind Canterbury’s number one weather provider.
Posted on the 24th April by Russell Voice
Many of you may be asking, who’s behind the most comprehensive weather provider here in Canterbury? How do we make it all work? Well in short, huge amounts of work & sacrifice are required. Weather never stops and our service operates 365 days a year 24/7. We’ve put together a quick summary of our team and our new team member all the way from the US; this will provide you a little insight into our passions and interests and how we continue to be Canterbury’s number one weather provider.
Our team are dedicated and highly driven to provide you the most detailed & accurate weather coverage for the Canterbury region. Our real edge over the Government provider is our extensive local knowledge; it’s what provides you that extra detail & intensity especially during extreme weather.
We’re looking forward to an array of new projects & developments this winter – stay tuned.
Head Weather Analyst and Owner: Russell Voice
Being born and raised in Canterbury, helped me to develop a passion for weather at a very early age. As a youngster living in Kaikoura, I enjoyed watching the weather develop and unfold over the mountains and the sea. This has to be one of the most spectacular places in the world to do this.
Over the years I have honed my forecasting skills and knowledge through reading and interpreting maps, from what were initially just a hobby and an interest. I’m consistently up skilling and growing my knowledge in media, marketing, sales & have been forecasting professionally for almost 3 years.
Canterbury Weather Updates is something that I’m very passionate about. I believe there is a real need for forecasts that have been moderated by people who understand and follow the weather dynamics in their region. I believe one of the key reasons for our success, is we don’t provide any computer generated content, all our forecasts have been moderated and hand crafted. When it comes to weather in Canterbury I believe our knowledge is unmatched.
Outside of weather I have growing passion for helping local businesses grow, whether it’s proving expertise on online marking, social media strategy, and various consultancy works in all aspects of business. It’s such an honour to be working closely with Canterbury premier large scale operations in a number of sectors. Working and collaborating with local agencies and business across all sectors has provided a unique array of skill sets and experiences. I’m currently in early stages of developing my own consultancy business, which I hope to launch before the start of winter (2018)
Outside of the business and weather I’m passionate about keeping fit and healthy and have played a range of sports at senior level. I’m currently training for the Coast to Coast mountain run, with no acl! When I’m not stuck in front of the computer you’ll find me out in the mountains. I’m also a qualified Physical Education teacher at secondary school level and Personal Trainer.
Weather Analyst: Leighton Thomas
Born and raised in Christchurch, I have developed a huge passion and interest around the weather over the years. I love what Canterbury has to offer weather-wise, as we really can get ‘the works’ here. My main passion would have to be snow! (like many of you I am sure!) I have learned to analyse different weather maps, models and data over the years in very much a self taught capacity. I believe experience of the local conditions and topography allows for concise and accurate forecasts to be generated.
I am a qualified PE and Health Teacher and work at Christchurch Academy currently. Despite this, I am highly motivated to deliver high quality and informative content around weather in the Canterbury Region and I look forward to touching base with many of you in the future.
Meteorologist & Analyst: Simone Phillips
I’ve always had a passion for weather. Even as a kid, I’d often get lost in thought, looking up at the clouds and wondering how and why they formed way up in the sky. I could even sit still for hours on my parents back porch, just listening to the sound of thunderstorms passing by. I decided to pursue my interest and passion for weather & later made my way to university, back home in the U.S, still keeping with me this same sort of curiosity and love of weather and ended up graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech for short) in Atlanta, Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree focused on meteorology.
After university, I worked as a marine meteorologist/route analyst within the shipping industry, first while living in Oklahoma, in the U.S.’s tornado alley, then in California’s Silicon Valley. Now, I consider myself so incredibly lucky to have found my way to New Zealand, and, more specifically, to the beautiful Canterbury region. I’ve already fallen in love with this area and the people living here, and I can’t wait to experience the awesome and diverse weather that comes through this region.
I look forward to touching base with you and getting stuck into weather here in Canterbury – perfect timing with winter just around the corner.
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