WEATHER CAUSES.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1930, Page 4

WEATHER CAUSES.

V DR KIDSON’S VIEW;

WELLINGTON, Jan. 14. The adverse summer weather is believed by many to eminate from Antarctic conditions, belief which no doubt is reinforced by the experience of the Byrd expedition.

Dr Kidson (Government meteorologist) however, does not agree. He considers no definite connection is found and the observations are insufficient for the base of such a theory. The’ Antarctic is largely unexplored and the weather in New Zealand can hardly be dependent on a blizzard in one small ipatch of the Polar regions. All that can be said is that on an average we have a southerly once a week. It is true Byrd has been reporting a blizzard once a wo,ek but none of the other expeditions now in thfe south find unusual quantities of ice. Actually large masses of ice tend towards stable weather. New Zealand depends rather on an area 10.90 miles to the westward. It is generally safe to say a rise in pressure) at Perth will be followed by a similar rise here, some five to seven days later. It would undoubtedly help if the reports could be obtained from some of the southern islands, but to obtain definite settled information from the Antarctic would take years and cost an immense sum. There is more reason to believe the Tropics play a far more important part in the matter.