Weather Forecasts Three Days Ahead

Chronicle (Levin), 20 April 1948, Page 5

Weather Forecasts Three Days Ahead

Press Association)

(Per

W'r.LLIXGTOX, April 19. Weather lorecasts 72 hours ahead. instead of the 24 to ,')(i hours normallx possible in present ciroumstances, mav soon be enjoyed by Xew Zealand, together with other eouiitries in the Foui h I'aeiJic area. This is one great advantage whieh may eome about when plans laid at tlie Soutli I'aeilie regional conference of tio Tnternat ional Meteorological Organisa lion, jnst coneluded in Wellington, conuinto complete operation. Mr. H. XT. Warren, direetor of th' Australian Meteorological Hervice, an i ])resident of tlie regional commission o. the organisation, who was leader of the Australian delegation to the conference, expressed tjie opinion, in an interview today, that such forecasts might soon be possible. He indicated, however that 'they could not be a reality unti) the necessary ecpiipment - was obtaineo and installed. "The coinpletion of the plans of tin regional services, and the iniprovementin instrumental equipinent in the marinand ai'iation reporting organisation should lead to the provision of information more rapidly and more adequatelx and consequently improve the regular forecasting services in respect of the timing of forecasts throughout the region," he said. "As a result of improved facilities decided upon at the conference, all the meteorological services will be enabled aetively to investigate tlie pOssibilities of extending the range — at present mainly li mit'ed to 24 to 36 hours — with a view to further outlooks up to 72 hqurs. " Mr. 'Warren emphasised the assislance whieh would be given in the planning of transport and other publie facilities, as well as in tlie domestic activities of priniary producers, when such forecasts becaine possible.