METEOROLOGY 93 



Madagascar, each of which has an independent, active, and effi- 

 cient meteorological service. Each of the regions will be consi- 

 dered in turn. 



SOUTHERN AFRICA 



Since most of this region is under British rule, the establishment 

 of centralized control should not prove difficult. At present the 

 meteorological offices of the Union, Southern Rhodesia, and South- 

 West Africa are independent. 



In the Union of South Africa the Meteorological Office at Pretoria 

 comes under the Irrigation Department. Data from the Protec- 

 torates are also collected and published by the same office. 



The service for air transport, comprises six first order stations 

 at Pietersburg, Germiston, Kimberley, Victoria West, Matroos- 

 berg, and Capetown, which form a line through the country from 

 approximately north-east to south-west, on the main Imperial Air- 

 ways route. At these stations continuous records of pressure, tem- 

 perature, humidity, surface wind direction and velocity (except at 

 Matroosberg), and hourly observations of visibility from 8.30 a.m. 

 to 4.30 p.m. have been made since January 1932. Pilot balloon 

 observations were begun in 191 8, and since 1932 have been made 

 at the same six stations several times per day, mostly limited to 

 10,000 feet to meet the requirements of aviation; at least one per 

 day at each station to the greatest height attainable. The results 

 of pilot balloon observations are given in great detail by Cox 

 (1934). In addition, visibility has been recorded daily at 173 other 

 stations, and the height and quantity of cloud at 55 stations, since 

 August 1932. 



There is a full organization for the preparation of daily weather 

 forecasts based on reports from 100 stations in the Union, seven 

 in Southern Rhodesia, one in Northern Rhodesia, six in South- 

 West Africa, and twelve in Madagascar. The forecast is broadcast 

 daily (except on Sundays and holidays) for the benefit of all sections 

 of the community, and for shipping additional broadcasts are made 

 from Mozambique, Lourengo Marques, Durban, Port Elizabeth, 

 and Capetown (Union of South Africa 1934). For aviation, how- 

 ever, these daily weather reports are not sufficiently frequent, in 

 view of the rapid changes to which South African weather is sub- 



