44 AUSTRALIAN WEATHER. 



CHARACTER OP WINDS PRECEDING A BURSTER. 



When the wind preceding a burster blows from some point 

 between north-west and west, it is always drier and hotter than 

 when it proceeds from between north-east and east. The latter, 

 however, produces peculiarly uncomfortable and relaxing effects, 

 such as might be experienced by one who went into a steam- 

 bath. The north-westerly wind on the other hand is of a dry 

 and parching character, but apart from its occasionally irritating 

 effect upon the nostrils, and the stinging sensation which it some- 

 times causes in the eyes, it is endurable, and is enjoyed by many 

 persons and much preferable to the sweltering north-easter. 



As would naturally be imagined, when the northerly wind is 

 strong the southerly by which it is succeeded is strong likewise, 

 being effects arising from the same cause. This intimate rela- 

 tion between the force of the two currents is especially noticeable 

 should the burst occur while the northerly wind is in full force 

 in other words, should it occur in the daytime, for northerly winds, 

 and particularly those from the north-east, moderate considerably 

 by sunset. 



RELATION OP VELOCITY OP NORTH AND SOUTH WINDS. 



But while it may be said that, as an almost invariable rule, 

 strong southerlies follow strong northerlies, the mean velocity of 

 the former is generally less than that of the latter, by about ten 

 per cent. 



WITH STRONG WINDS THE BAROMETER RISES SLOWLY. 



And it may be noted, as a peculiar circumstance in a gale with 

 such antecedents, the barometer rises very slightly after the 

 first short and rapid rise, the accumulation of pressure in the 

 west, no matter how steep the gradient is, seems to be used up in 

 maintaining the gale on the coast, and along the coast the 

 barometers rise little or nothing. There are remarkable records 

 of cases in which steady high barometic readings have been the 

 precursors of prolonged southerly gales upon the coast, even the 

 diurnal fluctuations being totally ignored. On the other hand 



