POLAR METEOROLOGY

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1930, Page 11

POLAR METEOROLOGY

DAILY WEATHER MAPS. WORK BY NEW ZEALAND. In connection with the coming Polar Year, in which New Zealand will join with the other nations, the aim of the meteorological work will be the broad study of the atmosphere in polar regions and its relation to the atmosphere in lower altitudes. One of the principal objects, of immediate practical value, will be the preparation of daily weather maps representing the state, of the atmosphere at sea level in the two

polar regions. At present daily weather maps very seldom permit a thorough study of conditions and changes on the polar side of the great atmospheric disturbances of the temperate zone and a new series of maps is required for the purpose, based on a better distribution of stations. In the northern hemisphere this need will be met by radio messages from some, if not all, of the stations taking part in the main magnetic and meteorological work, and by the establishment of a number of well distri-

buted ordinary meteorological stations to fill gaps in the existing circum-polar network of meteorological reporting stations.

In the Antarctic the problem is more difficult. No permanent meteorological stations exist in high southern latitudes, with the exception of that in the South Orkneys, and apart from the Antarctic continent the land areas there are of small extent. The great expanse of sea makes it probable, however, that the phenomena of tho “polar front” occur there in a more simple form than in the north, Where they are complicated by the land areas.

. It is desired to investigate the region of the sub-Autarkic islands rather than thb conditions close to the South Pole, and this need would be met by the establishment of a very few stations on the Antarctic continent, combined with as many as possible on the islands, and by the organisation of meteorological observations on board ships, especially on the whalers, which are numerous in certain parts of the Antarctic waters.

Still more-important will be the investigation of the circulation of the air between the polar regions and lower Latitudes, which is necessary for the study of the mechanics of the atmosphere, as well as for immediate progress in weather forecasting. Pilot balloon observations will be made wherever possible. New Zealand is . expected to undertake its - share of the investigations above-mentioned, and New Zealand scientists are naturally anxious that It should do so. The matter has been taken up enthusiastically by the New Zealand Institute, on - the initiative of its presi- 6 dent, Dr. C. Goleridge Farr, F;R.g. The institute has appointed a committee to organise the Dominion’s contribution to the general plan.