“MAKING THE WEATHER”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16612, 30 March 1928, Page 5

“MAKING THE WEATHER”

WORK OF METEOROLOGISTS ADDRESS BY DE. KIDSON “How we make Ihe weather, ’ was the title of the address given by Dr. K. Kidson, Government Meteorologist, at the. Rotary Club, Wellington. Many people actually did think they had something to do with, the making ■of the weather, said Dr. .Kidson, but Providence also took a hand in it. Describing the operations of the Department, he said that observations were taken from 50 stations throughout the Dominion by lighthouse keepers; harbor masters, post officials and ot hers. Reports of air pressure, temperatures, wind force, the list on the Beaufort scale, were forwarded, together with the state of the sky, whether there was rain, thunder, etc., the state of the sea and tide. AU these reports were sent- to Wellington and tabulated on a chart which enabled them to take in the situation at a- glance. By the aid of charts, Dr. Kidson explained how conclusions were drawn from the information available. Reports were also received from Norfolk Island, Chatham Islands and Australia, although they would be glad of more information from the other -side of the Tasman. Very useful reports were received from ships at sen, and a- greater supply of these from sea-going vessels would he of great value. CYCLONES AND ANTI-CYCLONES The speaker also dealt with cyclones and anti-cyclones and their effect/ Anticyclones were usually accompanied by line weather, while low pressures indicated rain and bad weather. A cyclone which had just crossed Australia would cross New Zealand in two or three days time, but pressure systems were continually changing owing to mountain ranges, making it a very complex matter in New Zealand. No fewer than 18 different forecasts were issued daily in the Dominion. Fresh observations were made at 4 p.m. each day, on which the evening report was based. In addition -to forecasting the weather, (they kept a record of the weather, and inquiriesv came from all parts of the world for rainfalls, wind forces, etc., and confectioners asked for information regarding humidity and temperature conditions in New' Zealand, -in order to manufacture their goods to meet, the conditions. Insurance companies wanted data as to hail-storms, as they insured crops against damage in this respect. It was necessary for this information to be gained on an organised basis. They would remember the visit of the airship mission, and it. would not be long before they had visits by aircraft from Europe and other countries, when tiie department would be called upon lo supply a great deal more information.

Seasonal forecasting was a question which meteorology would have to tackle, said Dr. Kidson, and he believed it would be achieved, hut much more information would be required as to the Pacific and the Antarctic. There was a great field in the Antarctic and he had studied the reports of the Shackleton Expedition from that aspect. No doubt more would be done in the future.