Hobart Weather Birds [Judy Morris / Felicity James]

For most People the weather is a subject of conversation - for two women at the Hobart Weather Bureau it's a job. Judy Morris of Sandy Bay, and Felicity James of Old Beach, are the "weather birds." They are duty forecasters—just part of the 14 meteorologist, staff employed by the Hobart bureau.

To both Judy and Felicity, weather forecasting is an eternal challenge. They, like others employed by the bureau, do a lot of shift work. It's essential in predicting forecasts.

The girls are thoroughly trained. Both are graduates of Melbourne universities and both majored in mathematics before joining the Weather Bureau and an extensive nine-month post-graduate course at the bureau's central training school in Melbourne. Courses of study included subjects such as dynamical meteorology, practical analysis classes relating to use of weather balloon data and other detailed studies which enable them to calculate day-to-day charges. Much of the post-graduate study is theoretical, but students spend some 40 pc of the course gaining practical knowledge as well.

But, as with most technical occupations, Judy and Felicity feel much of practical knowledge was gained when they started work at the bureau. In their present capacity they also are responsible for formulating reports on coastal waters, and warn of dangerous fire weather in summer.

Satellite photos, both agree, have greatly aided forecasters. Mrs. James candidly admits that sometimes there are "runs" in predictions, but the bureau claims 80pc accuracy. And joking about inaccurate forecast is not generally appreciated by forecasters like Judy and Felicity, who take their jobs seriously.

Bureau of Meteorology