METEOROLOGY.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1923, Page 4

METEOROLOGY.

INTF!! KSTIXG OBSKRVATfONS. WELLINGTON, Jan. 1(1 The subject of wind frequencies, which has an important hearing upon incterorologiciil observations and weather forecasts was discussed by the meterorologiial section ai the S'l-ii-nc’ Congress, when some interesting papers were presenter). Captain Kidsou, of .Melbourne, in his presidential address dealt with advances made by the .Scandinavian-'. especially the Norwegians in meteorology as a result of being compelled to maintain their forecasting service without reports from belligerent countries during the great war. What had hitherto been regard-j ed as a typical cyclone was now re- I cognised as one stage only in the life history of a cyclone. If. was possible to recognise from the i linim-teristics , of an individual cyclone its ago and its j further developments. Tims il. might he possible to sav that a "low" pressure which had been reported as moving eastward from Australia, accompanied by gales of wind, would diminish in intensity as it approached Now Zealand, with corresponding moderation Tif winds and seas. On the other hand, if ihe depression were recognised | as a young one it would he possible to warn shipping lo expect increasing winds and rough seas. The theory also gave a complete account, of various ways in which rainfall is produced. Ties was worked out in great detail. The results of oleervations of winds of the upper atmosphere at Wellington and ai Apia 'Samoa) were presented by Professor Emer-den. who Ueserihed experiments conducted at Victoria College during the last six months with halloons. By means of iheodoiytes lie was able to aseertaiif wind velooilies at various heights. The most interesimg result ivvs that although mosl of the prevalent wind at the surlace was norl lierlv. yet above tiPPO feet, it was M.ullieriy. He found Hint a very abrupt change occurred in t lie direct ion of jh" wind hot ween AOIM) and , ODD feet altitude. This, he remarked, was quite peculiar to Wellington, and it. looked as though Wellington winds were really confined lo suifaee levels alone. Higher tip wind conditions were no worse than in oilier centres. It appeared if cyclones ill the lower levels were sucked into the harbour through the straits, and the city being near tiie centre of activity experienced greater winds than would he the ease i ■ltherwi-e. This data will he used in the testing of Captain Kelson's theory. If the theory is proved correct il will ho possible to make weather forecasts two of three weeks ahead. Similar ■Jisorvat lens at Apia. Samoa, showed that the south-qasf trade wind at the surfa'-e changed into a steady we-I s niH-.-west wind at 'for! v miles per !i,:i:t■ above the height of I9J 'lO feel. The result H Ibal n would he advantageous in Ire veiliC". l y aeroplane to Fiji or Samoa lo follow lewei levels, and to take liv higher h'vcls above I A,kill! feel on the return journey, which would aided a sleadv rorlv or forty-live miles per hour wind. The ant kerit ies at the Samoan Observatory and had decided lo continue investigations every day iltiirng the present year, with the object of working out complete data.