Sunshine

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 3

Sunshine

Sir,—Although we are now getting more sunshine, the quality of it seems to be different from usual. For two months now, and as far away from town as 50 or 60 miles, I have noticed an absence of the brilliant, clear-cwt colouring so typical of our landscape. Could you tell me if these distinctly muted tonings, more characteristic of the English countryslide, are due to persistent high cloud, or volcanic dust which was .said to cause the vivid sunsets in June? If so, when can we expect an improvement? Yours, etc., SUN-LOVER. August 15, 1963. [The officer in charge of the Meteorological Office. Christchurch (Mr J. A. Hunter), said: "During June the presence of volcanic dust in the upper atmosphere was definitely established and all the reliable observations made were consistent with its having originated in the eruption in Hall. It seems reasonable to ascribe the colouring of the evening sky to the presence of this dust. A study of the intensity of solar radiation received at Christchurch airport on clear days in June and July indicated a fall of at least 5 per cent, compared with recent years. It is not known for how long the phenomenon will persist but experience following the great Krakatoa eruption (1883) suggests a noticeable effect may last more than a year.’’]