Friday 14 July 2000

MEDIA RELEASE - SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL OFFICE

SA weather service fires up for Torch - Adelaide to Mt Gambier

As the Olympic torch moves across South Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology will provide special weather information to meet the needs of organisers, runners and spectators. Andrew Watson, Acting Regional Director, said the Bureau would issue two extra forecasts each day in addition to their standard weather services.

'We rely on a vast database of information to produce our forecasts. Observations from Bureau observers at Murray Bridge, Keith, Naracoorte and Bordertown along the torch route help to form the overall weather picture', Mr Watson said. Forecasters will also use data transmitted from Bureau Meteorological Offices around the State and from Automatic Weather Stations based at Padthaway, Naracoorte, Coonawarra and Mt Gambier.

The Bureau's network of voluntary storm spotters - there are about 250 in South Australia - will report on dangerous or interesting conditions in their area.

Bureau observers at Murray Bridge, Keith and Naracoorte are available for interviews (contact details below).

Mr Watson said relay participants would receive detailed information about the weather conditions they can expect as they complete their segment of the route.

'A typical forecast will include the general weather situation (temperature, rainfall, winds), current warnings of potentially hazardous conditions, expected weather for the next part of the route, an outlook for the following day and a scheduled time for the next forecast', he said. Mr Watson said that although there was no indication of any really unusual weather leading up to the weekend, it was important for relay participants to be aware of local factors such as temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind, as these elements all have an effect on the comfort levels of individual runners.

Climate was one of the criteria taken into account during development of the national Torch Relay route. The Australian leg of the journey, which covers 27,000 kilometres, will see the flame traverse every climate zone in the country.

Forecasting for the Torch Relay is just one of a number of weather services to be provided for the Sydney 2000 Olympics under an agreement between the Bureau and the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG).

At the Hindmarsh Stadium, South Australia's only Olympic venue, the Bureau will provide comprehensive forecasts for Olympic football (soccer) trials and competition.

Two senior forecasters from the Bureau's Adelaide office will be based in Sydney from late August to the end of the Games to issue forecasts, briefings and tailored services for outdoor events. The Bureau's predictions will be critical in the lead-up to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and for sports such as yachting and sailing and some track and field events.

Contact details:

Murray Bridge
Dennis Barp and Malcolm Atze - tel: (08) 8535 7151

Keith
Rod Row - tel: (08) 8755 1141

Naracoorte
Kim Sandercock -tel: (08) 8762 2021

Acting Regional Director, SA Andrew Watson, tel: (08) 8366 2643
(work), 0428 899 900 (mobile/Friday 14 July only)
email: a.watson@bom.gov.au

Bureau of Meteorology Olympic web site:
The Bureau's Olympic web site has been archived and is available from the National Library of Australia http://pandora.nla.gov.au/parchive/2000/S2000-Sep-15/www.olympic.bom.gov.au/olympic/index.htm.