Atomic Weapons Tests—Mosaic G1 and G2 (continued)

On board Narvik were Lieutenant Commander R. R. (Dick) Fotheringham and six other meteorological personnel who established an observing site for meteorological observations (including those from radiosonde and radar wind equipment) on Hennite Island about four nautical miles south of Narvik's mooring. Weather observations over the Indian Ocean to the north and west of the Monte Bello Islands were also received from a flight of Shackleton aircraft based in Darwin. The meteorological office on board Narvik was located directly below the exposed steel plating of the foredeck and internal air temperature exceeded 106°F (41°C) on 10 successive days.

In addition to his routine forecasts and cyclone watch Bob had made a study of the low and upper level circulations and had selected certain situations which were likely to meet the stipulated requirements for the safe detonation of atomic bombs. As had been the case with the Hurricane test at the Monte Bello Islands in 1952 and the Totem tests at Emu Field in 1953, the meteorologists' tasks were to advise the temperature, humidity and wind profiles to great heights above the test site. AWRE scientists had the responsibility for predicting the height to which the radioactive cloud would ascend and the fallout pattern likely to occur. The main concern of the AWRE scientists was the safety of the test personnel at the site while the AWTSC's responsibility was to see that upper wind conditions and/or rainfall would not cause radioactive fallout hazardous to the Australian population.

Bureau of Meteorology