Art. X. — Notes on the Storms of High South Latitudes. 

 By D. W. Barker, F.M.S. 



[Read 13th July, 1882.] 



It is to the southern hemisphere that we must look for an 

 explanation of phenomena attendant on all cyclonic and 

 anti-cyclonic systems. To the southward of the 39th 

 parallel there is nothing to stop the storms in pursuing an 

 uninterrupted course round the world, and none of those 

 disturbing areas of high temperature that are found in the 

 northern hemisphere. 



It is my intention, in this paper, to endeavour to show, 

 from an isolated and entirely observational point — first, the 

 general appearance of this region between 39 deg. and 

 60 deg. S., as seen by a spectator placed at some distance 

 above the earth (supposing it to be possible to see the storms 

 actually) ; second, general formation and weather attendant 

 on them ; third, cloud motions, and general prognostics to 

 be obtained from them ; and fourth, direction of propagation 

 or movement. 



If an observer outside, and perfectly independent of the 

 earth, were to watch the motions of the atmosphere over 

 this belt, he would probably see that there is a general 

 prevailing set of the surface- wind towards a south-easterly 

 point, and a set in the upper regions towards a north-easterly 

 point ; but this would be so broken up in some places by 

 cyclonic and anti-cyclonic systems as scarcely to be discern- 

 ible. In some places would be large irregular anti-cyclonic 

 areas, while in others there would be strings of cyclonic 

 disturbances. If he still watched, he would see the anti- 

 cyclones broken down by the cyclonic disturbances, and 

 forming again in other places ; in fact, the whole system 

 would be propagated round in an easterly direction. In 

 summer time the appearance would be much more irregular, 

 caused by the sun's influence. Off the continents of Australia 

 and South America there would always be breaks, caused 

 especially in the former by the large interior hot surface. 



