EXTREME COLD IN SOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1929, Page 9

EXTREME COLD IN SOUTH

EXPERIENCES AT BYRD’S CAMP. (Special by Mr. Russell Owen). Bay of Whales, July 3. The thermometer went to 64 degrees below zero last night before it began to rise, and it was very cold—so cold that, standing outside, the entrance of the house tunnel without a hat to muffle the ears, the sound of one’s breathing was plainly audible. If one stood sideways to the wind so that the breath would blow past the leeward tar there was distinguishable a faint “swishing” sound like snow blowing along the surface in a strong vzind. luere was a momentary interval between the expulsion of the breath and the sound, which intensified the effect for there wa Q no reason for believing that the sound was caused by the breath itself leaving the lips. One after another of those in the house went to experiment and verify this amusing phenomenon, but nobody lingered. Although it is possible to stand outside without extra clothing for a few moments the cold quickly, eats through and nips nose, ears and fingers, and drives one to a hasty retreat. There is a striking contrast between the temperatu inside and that outside. It was about 62 degrees above zero in the house, while it was 63 degrees below out of doors. That one can undergo such a violent change of temperature, even for a few moments, without extra protection seems remarkable. The cold causes some interesting things to happen. Yesterday It was found that a can of kerosene left out ir. the snow tunnel near the entrance had frozen solid. It was brought into the hut. In New York kerosene is used to prevent automobile radiators from freezing.