CLOUDS AND WIND

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 285, 29 August 1935, Page 8

CLOUDS AND WIND

Wellington Weather Interpretation

THREE NORTHERLY TYPES

“The whole question of the interpretation of weather from clouds has to be approached with caution,” said Mr. R. G. Simmers, of the meteorological office and weather bureau, in an address last night to the ’Wellington Philosophical Society on “The Interpretation of ’Wellington Weather from Observations ot Cloud and Sky.” The land formation round Wellington, ho said, was particularly favourable for the ascent of air'and so for the formation of cloud. Cumulus cloud was fine weather cloud. Cirrus cloud was usually associated with depressions of gome sort. Ventieula (whaleback) cloud was formed in strong moist currents and nearly always heralded the appearance of strong winds and, in a number of eases, rain would follow. Alter stratus cloud was as suntan indication as any of rain.' Of more importance than any single cloud, however, was to notice the cloud sequence.

Mr, Simmers referred to the three different types of northerly wind in Wellington. The first was of tropical ciigin and brought fairly thick, heavy cloud. The second was the old polar n< rtherly, the air having had a polar origin with a long history since then. As a rule that wind did not bring many showers to ’Wellington. There was a third northerly of air of polar origin which was deflected through Cook Strait by the mountains of the South Island. It brought good weather and sharp, crisp visibility.