THE CLIMATE OF BKISBANE. 
161 
prevailing winds at Brisbane alone. For instance, the 
easterly currents of December and January prove that 
seasonal low pressure exists over North Queensland, and that 
prevailing anticyclonic or high-pressure systems cover New 
South Wales, and overlap its coast-line. 
The south-east currents of February and March show that 
anticyclonic nuclei, or “ mounds ” of high pressure, are then 
of frequent occurrence over the Biverina country, and that 
their north-eastern slopes over-ieach the Queensland border 
and the Pacific coast. 
The southerly winds of April and May distinctly show the 
progress of the earth’s revolution and its effect on the 
pressures. The sun’s northern declination is increasing, 
hence the land of Australia is chilling and the air becoming 
denser. This tends to draw the high-pressure centres nearer 
the Tropic of Capricorn. 
The westerly winds of June, July, and September are 
intensely dry and chilling, but distinctly purifying and 
bracing. They prove that the anticyclone or high-pressure 
system, which is a seasonal feature of the interior at this 
time, has its nucleus near Alice Springs, and that its slopes 
extend well over Northern Queensland, while low pressure or 
cyclonic systems cover the ocean between New South Wales 
and New Zealand. 
The southerly currents of August indicate a temporary 
“ backing ” to southward of the anticyclone of Central 
Australia, and a low barometer at Norfolk Island. 
The northerly winds of October and November indicate in 
a most striking manner the effect of the sun’s increasing 
southern declination. The atmosphere over the continent is 
becoming heated and more rarefied. The central high 
pressures have collapsed, and areas of low barometer are 
taking their place, while anticyclonic types are forming on the 
ocean side of the Barrier Beef. 
In accordance with the rules of the Boyal Meteorological 
Society, values of (H)06 and over are taken as rainy days. 
During September, October, November, and December, how¬ 
ever, heavy dews frequently gave 0-006. Virtually the actual 
number of rainy days for those months was as follows :— 
viz., 8, 11, 20, and about 15 respectively. 
From an intelligent perusal of the figures in the synopsis 
of the Brisbane weather, it is evident that the South-east 
portion of Queensland possesses a decidedly genial climate. 
Although December, January, and February are virtually 
tropical months, a new arrival from the Old Country may 
enjoy the best of health by partaking freely of those luscious 
