Wanted: a volunteer rainfall observer for Ballina
The Bureau of Meteorology is looking for a volunteer rainfall observer for Ballina.
“The airport has an automatic station recording rainfall, however, we would like to continue the official manually read records for the Ballina township which commenced in 1892,” a bureau spokesman said.
“This is important for our climate record for Ballina and as a back-up and comparison to the automatic gauge at the airport.
“There may be someone already reading a rain gauge in town who would like to become an official reader.”
The bureau’s previous Ballina rainfall observer, Jim McDonnell, retired at 99 years of age after doing the official Ballina rainfall readings for over 30 years.
He was unable to find someone to continue it on.
“Basically it involves reading a manual rain gauge at around 9am each day and sending in a monthly form to our head office,” the bureau spokesman said.
“We supply the rain gauge and stationery and a weather calendar each year.
“Over 6000 voluntary observers throughout Australia make daily rainfall measurements for the Bureau of Meteorology.
“These rainfall observers provide an important service to the community.
“The observations are used for many purposes such as forecasts and flood warnings and for investigations and reports on flood control, irrigation, land use, drought, storms, climate change and many aspects of agriculture.
“Rainfall statistics and reports are made available to other government departments and to industry, commerce, agricultural organisations and the general public.
“The observations are valuable only if they are accurate and if the rain gauge is well-maintained and suitably sited, away from obstructions such as trees and buildings.”
If you’re interested, contact:
Jason Gleadhill
Bureau of Meteorology (Sydney)
02 9296 1547
rosnsw@bom.gov.au
