Foley, J. C. (James Charles) (1892-1967) , classified major droughts in Australia from the early period of European settlement to 1955 on the basis of rainfall analyses. This document is a useful reference tool.A 19 pp copy of a document titled DROUGHTS IN AUSTRALIA, Review of Records from Earliest Years of Settlement to 1955. It was compiled by the Bureau of Meteorology in September,1957. This section deals mostly with droughts in Victoria.Author J.C. Foleydrought-victoria foley-james-charles bureau-of-meteorology climate

Stevenson screens were first introduced in Australia in the 1880s and were widely installed by 1910. The screens have been used to shelter and protect thermometers and other meteorological instruments from rain and direct heat while the holes and double-louvre walls allowed air to flow around them. Sometimes other meteorological instruments were included in the weather stations, so there were different Stevenson Screen sizes. This authentic, original Stevenson screen was previously owned by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and was used for many years for weather readings at the Cape Otway Light Station in southwest Victoria. The Lighthouse Keepers recorded the readings for minimum and maximum temperatures at 9 a.m. every day from January 1865 until April 1994. The equipment was sheltered in a Stevenson Screen from 1902 until April 15 1994, when the mercury thermometer was replaced by a platinum resistance probe within an Automatic Weather Station (AWS). This Stevenson screen is one of the two screens that then became redundant. The other Stevenson screen was kept to display to visitors. Lightkeepers were no longer required at the Cape Otway Light station either, due to the automated system. The meteorological instruments donated with the screen were used for measuring temperature and humidity. They are mounted on a metal bracket that fits across the screw holes on the screen’s internal frame. The glass-covered Relative Humidity (RH) sensor was made by the renowned precision instrument maker, Rotronic AG of Switzerland, which was founded in 1965. The firm made its first electronic temperature and humidity instrument in 1967. Meteorological records have been collected in Australia from the 1800s. The records were collated, published and used as a basis for weather forecasts. Many sectors, such as maritime and agriculture industries, have relied on these figures for making important decisions. The quality and placement of the meteorological instruments used to measure temperature and humidity are of utmost importance for accuracy. In early colonial times, there were no national standards for meteorological instruments that would allow for accurate figures and comparisons. Once the Bureau of Meteorology was established (around 1908 to 1910) the department installed Stevenson screens throughout Australia, many at lighthouses and light stations, and the measuring instruments were standardised. The Stevenson Screen was named after its inventor, Scottish Civil Engineer Thomas Stevenson (1818-1887) who was also the father of Robert Louis Stevenson, author. Stevenson developed the small thermometer screen around 1867. It had double-louvred walls around the sides and a top of two asbestos sheets with an air space between them and was thickly painted with a white coating that reflected the sun’s rays. This design was modified in 1884 by Edward Mawley of the Royal Meteorological Society. Standards were set for the locations of the screens and instruments, including their distance above ground level and the direction the door faced.Stevenson screens played a significant part in providing a standardised shelter for all meteorological instruments used by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology from about 1910 until 1994. The readings from the instruments gave the meteorological statistics on which weather forecasts throughout Australia were based. This Stevenson screen was used locally at Cape Otway, along the Great Ocean Road in southwest Victoria, so contributed towards our local forecasts and weather warnings.Stevenson screen, original, from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s weather station at the Cape Otway Lighthouse. The screen is a white wooden cupboard with a slanted cover raised above the top. The top has ten drilled ventilation holes, and the sides and door are made of downward-slanting double louvres. Two brass hinges join the door to the lower edge of the screen and a metal fitting at the top edge allows for a padlock closure. The screen is supported on four short legs, each with a hole drilled from side to side for fitting to a frame. Inside the screen are two wooden frames fitted with hooks and screws. The floor has three boards; one across the back and one across the front at the same level, and a board wider than the space between these boards is fitted higher, overlapping them slightly. Inside the screen, a pair of electronic instruments with short electric cables is mounted on a metal bracket with drilled holes in it. One of the instruments is a Relative Humidity (RH) probe. It is 26 cm long and is a glass tube with a filter on one end and an electrical connection on the other. It has inscriptions on its label, showing that was made by Rotronic AG, Switzerland. The other instrument is a Resistance Temperature Device (RTD) thermometer. It is 22.5 cm long and has a narrow metal probe joined to a hexagonal metal fitting. A brass plate on the front of the screen has impressed inscriptions. The screen is Serial Number 01/C0032, Catalogue Number 235862.Stamped into brass plate "CAT. NO. / 253862 / SERIAL NO. 01/C0032" On instrument’s electrical fitting; “CD2” [within oval ‘+’ above S] “Serie693 op65 / 220/380V~16A” On instrument’s glass; “rotronic ag” “SWISS MADE” “CE / CH-8303 / Bassersdorf” Symbol for [BARCODE] “ART NO MP 101A_T4-W4W” “POWER 4.8.30VDC“ “OP. RANGE: 0-100%RH/-40+60° C” “OUT H 0-100% 0-1V” “OUT T -40+60°C -0.4..+0.6V” “SERIE NO 19522 009”flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, cotton region shelter, instrument shelter, thermometer shelter, thermoscreen, thermometer screen, measuring instruments, meteorological instrument, weather recording, weather station, lighthouse equipment, light station equipment, stevenson screen, marine instruments, mercury thermometer, platinum resistance probe, aws, automatic weather station, rotronic ag, swiss made, meteorological device, weather forecast, weather prediction, weather records, meteorological forecast, meteorological record, australian bureau of meteorology, bureau of meteorology, bureau, bom, relative humidity, rh, relative humidity probe, resistance temperature device, rtd, thermometer, temperature, humidity, cape otway, cape otway lighthouse, cape otway light station, rotronic, switzerland, swiss instrument, thomas stevenson, double-louvered walls, edward mawley, royal meteorological society, 01/c0032, serial number, cat. no. 235862, serial no. 01/c00323

A plain covered publication. Pages are stapled stapled together down the left side of pages.A compilation of historical records, tables, maps and data documenting meteorological observations throughout the Albury- Wodonga district. Records for Albury date from 1860 and those for Wodonga date from 1898. Other areas documented include Beechworth, Yackandandah and Corowa.meteorology wodonga, meteorology albury, historical weather statistics, climate albury-wodonga

Article describes the destruction following a freak hail storm that came through Box Hill, Nunawading, starting in Footscray.Destruction following a freak hail storm that came through Box Hill, Nunawading, starting in Footscray.hail storms, nunawading, state emergency service, barnard, alan, australia. bureau of meteorology, footscray, kew, balwyn, box hill, insurance council of victoria, mackintosh, tony

This book of Warrnambool's meteorological observations is dated November 1948. The book was published by the Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau, Victora Division. It was printed by L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra. It was originally printed for Division 3, Queensland but has been overwritten with 'Vic' [Victoria] and used for Warrnambool. Readings were recorded daily for barometric pressure, temperature, rain and wind velocity. At the end of each month, they were posted to the central Branch in Melbourne.These Meteorological Observations are an important accurate record of the local weather since the decades. They are part of Flagstaff Hill's Meteorological Observations collection of over seventy record books dating from the late 19th century. The collected information gives a picture of the weather patterns for the months and seasons, which then allows for warnings of events out of the normal or extreme, such as forecasting floods or droughts.Meteorological Observations record book. Recordings were taken at Warrnambool in November 1948. Small red cardboard printed cover with printed pages prepared for adding records. Published by the Commonwealth of Australia. The book was printed for Queensland; the cover has been altered by hand to read Vic [Victoria], but the fly page has not been altered.Printed cover text includes "Central Meteorological Bureau" "METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS DIVISION No. 3 QUEENSLAND" Handwritten on cover "VIC" "Nov 1948."flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, meteorological observations, commonwealth meteorological bureau, weather readings, weather records, weather history, weather measurement, weather record, division no 3 queensland, victoria, november 1848

On 2nd February 1918, Brighton experienced the most extreme cyclone to hit a major Australian city, as recorded by the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology. With wind speeds estimated at 320 km/h and resulting in the deaths of two people, the event caused tremendous destruction in Brighton.cyclone, brighton, methodist church, hawthorn road, grant's hay & corn store, wells street, wellington street, billilla, weatherly, halifax street, tornado, colonel kendall

Black and white photograph of a group of people Peter Dawson Weather Bureau Inspector for Victoria, Graham Duff Regional Operations Manager for Weather Bureau, Barbara and Frank Ray, Tony Langiano taken on the occasion of the retirement of Barbara Ray after 27 years at the Victorian Bureau of Meteorology Weather Station Myers Street Lakes Entrancegenealogy, retirement

Official Recording of Warrnambool Meteorological ObservationsTwo bound ledgers and one paperback exercise book and a folder of correspondencewarrnambool weatherwarrnambool weather

Used on Gabo Island to measure maximun gust over previous 3 hours or between weather observations. Information on the back of the device implies that it was battery powered and indicates that it was used in conjunction with a Synchrotac brand anemometer. Its particular function was to measure maximum wind speed over three hours between weather observations. Like the other weather recording instruments in the collection, it became redundant to the Bureau of Meteorology’s needs. It is a good example of its kind and has first level contributory significance for its historic value and provenance to the lightstation.Black metal box with grey metal front. Two chrome plated handles at front. Red plastic square, greenish coloured knob at front with inscriptions under them.On front,"MAXIMUM GUST REGISTER / KNOTS / READ" On back, "for use with a synchrotac anemometer / ANEMOMETER / RESET" On 2 black plastic discs at back, "BATTERY x 4 "

This device was used to measure surface wind speed and direction. This anemometer was located on a concrete pad outside room 2.15 on a steel pole. The pole was considered unsafe and the anemometer was relocated to it's current position. When lowering the pole it fell over and was badly damaged. The Bureau of Meteorology donated it to the museum. It was then repaired and restored. The central pole on which it is mounted is galvanised iron pipe painted black. The anemometer, a portable device that manually measures wind speed, was a necessary instrument once common to all weather stations. The arms are attached to a vertical rod and as the wind blows, the cups rotate, making the rod spin. The stronger the wind blows, the faster the rod spins. The anemometer counts the number of rotations, or turns, which is used to calculate wind speed, surface wind and direction. They were designed to be durable to withstand the corrosive environment and strong winds expected at coastal sites such as those at Gabo Island. Anemometers existed in the nineteenth century and their design was improved by various experts including John Robinson in 1846, John Patterson in 1926, Brevoort and Joiner in 1935 and Derek Watson in 1991 who added wind direction measurement to its functions. This example was made for the Bureau of Meteorology by the Melbourne instrument company, Synchrotac, which became registered and incorporated on 26 July 1966. It is now displayed inside the building. A good example of its kind, the anemometer has first level contributory significance for its historic value and provenance to the lightstation.Anemometer and tripod stand. Three cupped brass discs on rotating arms fixed to turned brass cylinder shaped shaft. Beneath discs is a lead directional wind arrow attached to a rotating arm. A wooden three legged stand with central supporting pole of black painted hardwood and attached to a white painted marine ply circular base.Under wind cups: " SYNCHROTAC / MELB. / ser.no.70/372 / MADE IN AUSTRALIA." Above wind direction arrow: "C.OF.APT..../ SYNCHROTAC / MELB ? MADE IN AUSTRALIA / ser.no.70/372"

This Phillips FM 880 radio telephone was used by lightkeepers between 1973 and 2005 for communication with the meteorological bureau. This relatively large device is in a white enamel metal cabinet and has a number of dials and switches and instructions. It has six chrome handles. There are 'decommissioned' labels on the face."Phillips FM 880 ..."

This fairly substantial wooden desk with vinyl top was issued to Wilson’s Promontory Lightstation by the Department of Public Works in the 1960’s. Primarily the desk was used for correspondence purposes, and now has the Bureau of Meteorology computer stationed on it. Although the design and make of this desk is common to many lightstations across Victoria, it is a good example of the kind of furniture that was provided to Victorian lightstations in the 1960’s. The solidly constructed desk was used in the lightstation office. It is made of honeycoloured hardwood and has a green vinyl top and three drawers on the left side. The style suggests that it may date to the 1960s. Gabo Island Lightstation has two identical desks, and all were probably standard issue from the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service or Public Works Office. Another twentieth century vinyl topped desk at Gabo is manufactured with a steel frame. Cape Nelson, Cape Schanck, Point Hicks and Gabo Island retain nineteenth century cedar desks. The desk at Wilsons Promontory has second level significance as a good example of the style of office furnishing provided to lightstations in the 1960s.Wooden desk with square legs and green vinyl top. It has three drawers with wooden handles on the left . The top drawer has a keyhole.

This item, which dates to 1988, is contained in the original supply packet and survives in good condition. It was commonly used by lightkeepers for both wet and dry bulb thermometers, with the muslin going into the bottom of the dry bulb where it was held in place by the wick and ‘end of the wick was then placed in a jar of deep water to keep the bulb cool’. The difference in temperatures between the dry and wet bulb thermometers could then be worked out to establish the dew point in the air.They were common in lightstations, but this intact item remains in the original packaging and is a fine representative example of its kind. It was acquired from the Bureau of Meteorology. Recording and communicating weather readings was an important facet of lightstation work and a number of different but related items of meteorological equipment survive at the six lightstations managed by parks Victoria. The Cape Nelson collection includes a pair of Australian-made thermometers in their original box, both in Fahrenheit, with one recording the minimum, the other the maximum temperature and a barometer table with instructions for correcting readings. Cape Otway has a Beaufort Scale, a table of wind forces which lists 12 types on a scale of 1 to 12, and provides associated speed in knots and travel time per minute or hour. Gabo Island has an anemometer, wind speed indicator and a wind speed recorder.Muslin and wick for a wet bulb thermomenter in unopened white paper packaging with directions for use printed on the package on the front.On front of package,"MUSLIN AND WICK FOR WET BULB THERMOMETER......."

Lightning is one of the major causes of bushfires, particularly in the remote mountains. This lightning detector system was developed by Dr. Peter Kourtz at Canada’s forest fire research institute. By 1977, some 300 were in use across the country. The small mushroom antenna could detect short-range (20-mile) changes in electrostatic field associated with lightning strikes. It needed to be placed out in the open on a hilltop and away from nearby trees. It simply counted the number of "strikes". The detector doesn't seem to have a direction finding capability or be able to distinguish between cloud-to-cloud or cloud-to-ground lightning. It's not sure how this particular unit found its way to Victoria. The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) current lightning detector network uses radio waves emitted by lightning to pinpoint the location of lightning strikes. The network is operated by a private company that sends data to the BOM in real time. Lightning detection systems use sensors like antennas, GPS receivers, and processing systems to detect radio waves, also known as sferics. The systems calculate the lightning's location and speed by measuring how long it takes for the radio signal to reach the different antenna stations. The BOM also has a Thunderstorm Tracker that uses weather radar data to identify areas of potential thunderstorm activity. The tracker updates every six minutes and shows the direction thunderstorms are moving, as well as their expected position in 10, 20, and 30 minutesLightning detector 1970sQ-Techforests commission victoria (fcv), weather, bushfire, bushfire aviation

This book of meteorological observations is dated May 1945. The book was published by the Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau, Victora Division. It was printed by L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra. Readings were recorded daily for barometric pressure, temperature, rain and wind velocity. At the end of each month, they were posted to the central Branch in Melbourne. These Meteorological Observations are an important accurate record of the local weather since the decades. They are part of Flagstaff Hill's Meteorological Observations collection of over seventy record books dating from the late 19th century. The collected information gives a picture of the weather patterns for the months and seasons, which then allows for warnings of events out of the normal or extreme, such as forecasting floods or droughts.Meteorological Observations, dated May 1945. Small brown cardboard printed cover with printed pages prepared for adding records. Published by the Commonwealth of Australia. Printed text includes "Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau / DIVISION NO. 5 VICTORIA / METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS " and "The Observer who takes each set of readings is requested to put his initials at the bottom of each column" "flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, meteorological observations, commonwealth meteorological bureau, commonwealth meteorologist, central meteorological bureau, division no. 5 victoria, weather readings, weather records, may 1945, weather history, weather measurement, weather record

Book has been completed in 1916 by Warrnambool's Lighthouse KeeperThe weather records are a significant part of Warrnambool's history, helping to tell the story of local weather patterns on land and sea. The records can be used for understanding the events of wrecks and accidents at sea.Warrnambool Lighthouse Register of Meteorological Observations 1916 July Hardcover book, green with red binding and reinforced corners. Pages have printed lines for rows and columns. Figures handwritten on each lineHandwritten recordswarrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, meteorological observations, 1910, lighthouse register, weather records, lighthouse keeper