A WET WINTER?

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1929, Page 8

A WET WINTER?

ICE FLOE INFLUENCE. i SIR DOUGLAS MAWHON’S VIEWS. SYDJNEY, June 13. Because of the influence of Antarctic icefloes, which have this year drifted several hundred miles further northward than usual, Sir D. Mawsun says that it is likely that Australia will have a very wet winter, and that New Zealand will he affected likewise, it is not possible to write with any knowlede of what is happening in New Zealand, but in Sydney the rainfall so inr has been beyond all requirements and well above the average for many years past. Sir Douglas Mawson, who lias been to Britain to make arrangements for the expedition which at least two New Zealanders are to join, returned to Adelaide on Saturday. “1 believe that the work to be done on the Discovery will be of great importance in the study of climate conditions in Austral ia and New Zealand,” lie said, “For some time past, attention has been directed to the probable bearing of Antarctic meteorology upon the rainfall conditions in Australia. The importance of great outbursts of cold water and flowing ice from the Polar regions upon the climate of-lower latitudes is becoming recognised. The influence of the Arctic outflow of cold water' from Greenland Sea on the limate of Western Europe is now ally appreciated. I believe the same •an be said of the Antarctic regions, .fenceforth, the recording of sea water temperatures at as many stations as iiossible in the Southern Ocean •mild be of importance in forecasting Australian weather.

“It is interesting to note,” pro•eeded Sir Douglas, “that during the last southern summer there has been a strong movement of Antarctic ice northward, far beyond its usual limits, in the region south of the mean longitude of the Indian Ocean. Iceflows since February have been drifting owards Australian longitudes, and must this year be a factor in the Australian climate. Judging by records of the past it is likely to be a year of >;ood rainfall in Australia, fl'lie ice recorded near Kerguelen Island early in the year should rtow have reached a position south of Western Australia. I do not mean to say the ice front is necessarily very 1 close to Australia, but it will be several hundred miles further north than usual, fl’lie ice should ho somewhere south of Cape Leomvin. and should lie. influencing climate here. We may have a very wet winter.”