Memories of the Bureau of Meteorology
Preface
Memories of the Bureau of Meteorology 1929–1946 by Allan Cornish
History of Major Meteorological Installation in Australia from 1945 to 1981 by Reg Stout
Four Years in the RAAF Meteorological Service by Keith Swan
The Bureau of Meteorology in Papua New Guinea in the 1950s by Col Glendinning
Foreword
Introduction
Brief History and Geography
Station Operations
Air Transport
The Port Moresby Office
Housing for Bureau Staff, Port Moresby
Staff Members and Their Families
Local Transport
Education
Entertaining, Sport and Lifestyle
Shopping Facilities
Malaria
Native Servants
Communication with Native Servants
Meteorology
Forecasting Problems in Port Moresby
Other Comments
Index
Search
Help
Contact us
Forecasting Problems in Port Moresby (continued)
The 'Guba', an overnight wind squall phenomena reaching speeds of up to 80km/hr that was more intense in the Guba Hill (near the Met houses) area of Fairfax Harbour than at Jackson's strip, posed a danger to flying boats moored in the harbour. It was also significant to the public weather forecasts since its prediction almost certainly meant that many residents, having taken appropriate precautions, when awakened from a sound sleep by the roaring of the wind would not have to stagger around closing the many louvres found in most houses, only to find the squall had passed by the time that this was completed.Timing the occurrence of thunderstorms with the precision required for aerodrome forecast purposes was difficult (no radar).
Surges in the south-eastersI believe, were, on most occasions, associated with an old southern cold front that in the latitude of Papua and New Guinea was markedly zonal. Because of the lack of distinction between the air masses, the analysing of the position of this phenomena was difficult. These surges and convergence at the head of the Gulf of Papua, in the Huon Gulf and in the Milne Bay and Samarai areas, produced bad flying weather. The Port Moresby area was relatively free from weather deteriorations associated with this phenomena. (Previous reference to the orientation of the Papuan coast in this area is also relevant in this case).
People in Bright Sparcs - Glendinning, Colin (Col)
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© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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