"MAKING OUR WEATHER."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 78, 2 April 1928, Page 17

"MAKING OUR WEATHER."

WORK OP METEOROLOGICAL department.

ADDRESS BY DR. KIDSON.

tittorf thp T, ke the . weather " was the title of the address given by Dr. E. Kidw j,. G ° vern ment Meteorologist at the Wellington Rotary Club. barf I *.? 7 p . e ,°. ple actuall y did think they had something to do with the making PrniSf Weat , her ' Kidson, but Providence also took a hand in it. Describing the operations of the Dexvtr Tl' Said that observations were taken from fifty stations throughout the Dominion by lighthouse keepers, harbour masters, post officials and o hers. Reports of air pressure, temperatures, wind force, the list on the •fi /J scale, were forwarded, together with the state of the sky, whether there was rain, thunder, etc., the state of the sea and tide. All these reports were sent to Wellington and tabulated on a chart which enabled them to take in the situation at a glance. By the aid of charts, Dr. Kidson explained how conclusions were drawn from the information available. Reports re , alß ° received from Norfolk Island, Chatham Islands and Australia, although they would be glad of more information from the other side of the Tasman. Very useful reports were received from ships at sea, and a greater supply of these from seagoing vessels would be of gieat value. The speaker also dealt with cyclones and anti-cyclones and their effect. Anti-cyclones were usually accompanied by fine weather, while low pressure indicated rain and bad weather. A cyclone which had just ctossrd Australia would cross New Zealand in two or three days' time, but pressure systems were continually changing owing to mountain ranges, making it a very complex matter in New Zealand. No fewer than 18 different forecasts were issued daily in the Dominion. Fresh observations were made at 4 p.m. each day, 011 which the evening report was based. In addition to forecasting the weather, inquiries , came from all parts of the world for rainfalls, wind forces, etc., and confectioners asked for information regarding humidity and temperature conditions in New Zealand, in order to manufacture their goods to i.:eet the conditions. Insurance companies wanted as to hailstorms, as they insured crops against damage in this respect. It was necessary for this information to be gafned on an organised basis. They would remember the visit of the airship mission, and it would not be long be/ore they had visits by aircraft from Europe and other countries, when .the Department would be called upon to supply a great deal more information. Only a quarter of the information was received from ships which should be received, and something in the way of a return should be made to them in the way of information as to weather forecasts, etc.

Seasonal forecasting was a question which meteorology would have to tackle, said Dr. Kidson, and he believed it would be achieved, but much more information would be required as to the Pacific and the Antarctic and he had studied the reports of the Sliackleton Expedition from that aspect. No doubt more would be done in the future.