WEATHER FORECASTS

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1936, Page 7

WEATHER FORECASTS

GOVERNMENT METEORLOGIST UPHELD. DEFENDED BY PROFESSOR. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, February 12. “That the Government Meteorologist does so well is a tribute to his high skill,” said Professor Burbidge, head of the Physics Department at Auckland University College, when interviewed to-day. Professor Burbridge protested strongly against ill-informed and extravagant criticisms, and outlined the great difficulties of weather forecasting in New Zealand. He expressed surprise at the Auckland 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 sec a little of the complicated business of forecasting before classing forecasts as “dead reckoning or rule of thumb. ” The accusation that the Government Meteorologist is not doing his job, was a nasty accusation to make about a scientist of international reputation, and of known hard-working habits, whom we are fortunate to have in New Zealand.” Professor Burbridge explained that the weather was governed by extensive weather systems, covering an area as largo as continents, and changes in such systems may move very rapidly —3OO miles a day is the average rate New Zealand is a very difficult place for forecasting. It is surrounded by oceans, from which only chance reports come 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 niotorologieal service.”