BAMOS 5
Although influential and apparently dominant, the Norwegian theory was contested. Schultz et al.( 2020) outline some of the debate during the 1920s, noting that other scientists focused more on upper-tropospheric and lower-stratospheric influences on cyclogenesis. Davies( 1997) presents an interesting account of the emergence of the two competing theories of cyclogenesis, and the reasons for the initial dominance of the polar front theory. Doolin( 2020) notes that there was resistance to the Norwegian methods in the US Weather Bureau and they were not adopted there until 1938.
After the War the Central Analysis Office( CAO) of the Bureau, located in Melbourne, evolved from the separate AMFA Section in Melbourne and the Allied Air Forces Meteorological Section in Brisbane, and began a concerted effort on extending the domain of synoptic analysis. As with tropical analyses there were vigorous debates regarding analyses over data sparse areas. Early synoptic analyses only covered the Australian continent. With the establishment in 1948 of observing stations on Heard and Macquarie Islands, analyses were extended into the Southern Ocean. From September 1948 a daily 0600 UTC surface analysis was prepared covering the ocean area south of 35oS and between longitudes 70 and 180oE. This was initially seen as a development project. Lloyd( 1952) notes that there were widely differing methods of frontal analysis, but reasonable continuity in the analysis and continuity of lows. Operational production began in 1950 and the charts were transmitted in code to forecasting offices and overseas. Upper air analysis and prognosis charts had also become feasible with the enhancement of the radiosonde network.
TOP: Fig. 3. Dr. Edward Kidson, OBE, about 1927. Reference: S. P. Andrew, PAColl-6303-39, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
LEFT: Fig. 4. First appearance of fronts on Weather Charts from the Bureau published in The Age newspaper in Melbourne on 13 April 1946. The caption reads: " Today ' s map, for the first time, shows the position of fronts. These meteorological phenomena play an important part in weather analysis and forecasting, and it is considered that the value of the map will be enhanced by the addition of this feature.( Photo credit: The Age newspaper).