Speedier Forecasts Wanted

Chronicle (Levin), 12 April 1948, Page 5

Speedier Forecasts Wanted

WELLINGTON, April 10. With the present meteorological service inf'ormation, ait extension of range, time and. aceuracv of weather forecasts was tinlikely but with additional equipment the way would be open to attaiaing higher accuracy in timhig and possibly to increasing the range of forecasts. This was stated in an intervietv by Mr. H. N. Warren, director of the Australian meteorological service and president of regional commission of the International Meteorlogical Organisation. Mr. Warren, who is attending the meteorological eonference opening at the Garter observatory 011 Monday, indicated that the eonference would probably press for the extension of meteorological faeilities in the Bonth Pacilic area and the installation at selected point-s of1 the most modern e({uipment. ' ' Meteorology has developed to the stage where it required action by all eounti)d$s.- jthe ser'vice successfui in any^iujie %Ountiy".-for its own local purpose and for itS- international tasks, particn-laily -associated' with transport by sea and air," said Mr. Warren. "The hope of extending the range oi forecasting fests in the efficient excliange of information between the countries of the region and initiatioa by each ■ eountry of the region of efficient modern equipment for upper air observation. " The requirenients of air transport in the early future would be for higher and higher '.levels as the altitude range of civil and sfcrvice aircraft increased, he said. That required modern equipment capable of reaching very high levels in the atmosphere and traiismitting its messages of conditions in the upper air to the ground. "We hope that in the Sduth Pacilic tlie results of the eonference will lead to improved conmnmieatioiis and agreed plans for tlie locat.ion of modern upper air equipment throughout this region, a big proportion of which, be-c-ause of sliortages of equipment and other reasons, is not yet organised fully to rneet modern requirenients," he said. ■The requiremehts determined by the eonference would jtake the form of reftolutions and recominendations which would .be referred to the governments of the region.