“THIS IS THE WEATHER OFFICE"

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 27 May 1947, Page 4

“THIS IS THE WEATHER OFFICE"

TJESPITE the sepulchral tone of voice in which they arc sometimes issued, the official forecasts broadcast from the Weather Office are appreciated by the public. The high degree of accuracy attained in prophesying things to come during a period oi 24 hours is proof of the careful thought and organisation directed to modern mctereology. Now and again, however, even the best of services is apt to make a miscalculation—hardly surprising in the case oi sea-girt little New Zealand. , „ During the latter part of the week-end Gisborne, generally recognised as having one of the finest climates in the country, was the sufferer from such a slip. The weather announcement on Friday night was ominous. Occasional showers on Saturday morning and fairly continuous rain on Saturday afternoon were forecast So far so good in the matter of accuracy; then came the big mistake in attempting the “further outlook prognostication. Listeners gained the impression that Hood rains on Sunday were to he expected. Except for the possible upsetting oi holiday arrangements and the extra strain imposed upon farmcis who felt it necessary to he on the alert in case of trouble, no great harm ivas done locally by the miscalculation. It is always better to he sure than sorry. . v , It remains a fact, however, that Gisborne weather did not receive a good advertisement throughout the rest of the Dominion. Instead of the Hood rain on Sunday which other provinces may have imagined we were having, the day for the most part was bright and sunny. As far as is known, no corrective information is ever broadcast from the Weather Office, which peers steadily into the future and gives no report on present or past conditions. . It may appear a small matter, but since the weather topic is Hedy discussed and people arc interested in how other districts <nc filling or have fared it would seem that the announcements from the office could well he embellished by a short review of what has gone before.