Rainfall of Rhodesia and Australia

Abstract

TO the Proceedings of the Rhodesia Scientific Association (vol. viii., part iii., 1909) the Rev. E. Goetz, S.J., contributes a very valuable discussion of the rainfall of Rhodesia, based upon observations at sixty-three stations. Fifty of these are in southern Rhodesia; the conclusions therefore apply more particularly to the country between the Zambezi and the Limpopo (long. 27°–33° E.). The tables contain monthly and yearly amounts from the actual observations. The longest series is for Hopefountain (nineteen years), and the averages at most of the other stations have also been reduced to this normal by the usual method. An annual rainfall map shows clearly that the amounts near the Portuguese territory vary from 45 to 30 inches, and decrease westwards to 20 inches; but to the north-west (north of the Zambezi) the unreduced averages increase to 30 inches and above. There are some closed areas of high rainfall in southern Rhodesia which, the author assumes, will probably disappear with the returns of a larger number of stations. The rainfall for seasons, and for short periods at some selected stations, is dealt with in considerable detail. There is also an interesting discussion of rain and drought cycles; the nineteen-year cycle, based on the periodic movement of the high-pressure belt, recently proposed by Colonel H. E. Rawson, seems (the author thinks) to promise good results.