Weatherher research ‘essential'

Press, 9 October 1979, Page 23

Weatherher research ‘essential'

PA Wellington Further weather research is essential to plan effectively tor the 1980 s. the annual meteorological conference has been told. Mr J. W. D. Hessell. of the Meteorological Serv ice. said politicians now required that meteorologists “justify our existence in specific economic terms despite the fact that the ultimate benefits ot scientific research can often not be

immediately perceived." Examinations of the costs and benefits of meteorological services, ft r primary industries produced impressive results, he said. It was useful in orchard frost protection, haymaking, offshore oilprospecting, and forest fire-fighting. Secondary and tertiary industries produced many similar examples. Dr W. J. Maunder, of the Meteorological Offices

special services branch, said a "weighted inter- j national weather index" i for such commodities as | wool, beans, or beef pro- : duction had great poten- I tial. “Furthermore, the availability of such infor- j mation systems as ‘Teletex’, ‘Viewdata’ and ‘Prestel’ requires a greater awareness by met- I corologists of the marketing potential of his services,” Dr Mander said.