METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT

Evening Star, Issue 22261, 12 February 1936, Page 10

METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT

FORECASTING THE WEATHER A PROFESSOR'S TRIBUTE [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 12. “ That the Government Meteorologist does so well is a tribute to his high skill,” said Professor Burbxdge, head of the physics department of the Auckland University College, when interviewed to-day. Professor Burbidge protested strongly against the ill-intormed and extravagant criticisms, and outlined the great difficulties of weather forecasting in New Zealand. He expressed surprise at the Kaipara Provincial Farmers’ Union discussion yesterday, and said that some of the reported remarks displayed deep ignorance. He would recommend the Kaipara Committee to call at the Wellington office and see a little of the complicated business of forecasting before classing forecasts as “ dead reckoning or rule of the thumb.” The accusation that the Government Meteorologist was not doing his job was a nasty accusation to make about a scientist of international reputation and known for his hard-working habits. Professor Burbidge explained that the weather was governed by extensive weather systems, covering an area as large as continents, and changes in such systems might move very rapidly—3oo miles a day was the average rate. New Zealand, therefore, was a very difficult place for forecasting, being surrounded by oceans from which only chance reports came via wireless from odd ships. “That the Government Meteorologist does so well is a tribute to his high skill, and none more than he would welcome an extension of the meteorological service.”