Forecasters urge more resources

Press, 28 November 1977, Page 4

Forecasters urge more resources

PA Invercargill | Difficult economic times; are damaging the quality of; weather forecasting in New! Zealand. An unrelenting budget and subsequent staff level difficulties are limiting the capacity of forecasters to acquire the necessary regular observation readings they need to do a proper job. These difficulties have come at a time when improved predictions would go a long way towards providing important help for dependent or semi-dependent industries—such as the saving of thousands of dollars through correct temperature predictions that would allow oil-burning energy loading needs to be judged in advance. These comments were made in Invercargill by the Meteorological Service’s chief forecaster (Mr A. A. Neale) who is on a tour to speak about the functions and problems of his department. He described the service as being in a “strait-jacket” because of the economic climate, which was “approaching the point where we cannot do more than we are doing at the moment.”

I This situation could force; .! the department to enforce • priorities, Mr Neale said. Be- ! cause of the limited budget and limited staff. High on the priority list would have to be such points as accurate forecasting for! ! shipping and other weather-' related outdoor activities, for , emergency work, such as storm warnings, and similar , needs. “Regrettably, we may , have to put further down the scale the forecasting of whe- ! ther a person is going to get wet on his way to work or , not," Mr Neale said. ! There were signs that ! forecasting qualities might ! start to fall. , “It may not come to that ; point, but we are already becoming very committed.” , However, there were also [ some better signs. I Next year, said Mr Neale, a ■ greater use of computers—although this would partly be . a handicap in the short term ; —would improve means of • compiling data; more use >; should also be made of satel--1 lite photographs. The forecasting department ■ was the “showcase” of the ■ Meteorological Service, “but ! it is only a part of a much bigger operation,” he said.