FORECASTING SEASONS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1930, Page 2

FORECASTING SEASONS

SOME INTERESTING SPECULATIONS.

WELLINGTON, May 13

Mr G. V. Hudson attempts to explain the late Mr - Clement Wragge’s ability’ to forecast the seasons a long way ahead, with particular reference to bis prediction that the summer of 1930 would not start till February and would continue -till June, He imputes as the probable grounds ol working sunspots and the moon’s variation in declination, both of which are periodical; ITiese two factors sunspots and the moon’s declination—must, however, be taken in conjunction, he asserts, and we should. therefore have the following weather effects :■—

(1) Sunspot maximum plus lunar declination maximum: Many cyclones. and cool to cold anti-cyclones present in the south to condense their moisture, resulting in much rain, with .prevailing southerly and easterly winds. This would give us the cold,-wet weather experienced in November and December 1929, and January, 1930.

(2) Sunspot minimum plus lunar declination maximum: A : t the end of January, 1930, sunspots very rapidly declined, but the lunar declination continued to increase gradually. As a result cyclones were few and feeble and persistent anti-cyclones prevailed over the latitude of New Zealand. The usual westerly depressions were consequently diverted to the far south and the weather was exceptionally fine, with very little rain oxwind.