This loss had a serious effect on forecasting facilities since the reports were almost the only indications of weather approaching Australia from the west, save those from the cable station at Cocos Island, which is situated much too far north of an ideal latitude to give proper indication of weather in this vast sea area. This situation was, to some extent, late in the war, relieved by the receipt of a small number of radio-telegraphed ship reports received through the Navy, and by those from aircraft on the trans-Indian Ocean crossing.

Release of meteorological information to the public generally, was as in other States, restricted severely by the censorship regulations. As a result, isobaric charts, weather bulletins, rainfall maps and a certain number of forecasts were delivered by personal messenger to Federal and State departments, as well as other instrumentalities vitally concerned with this data. Needs of the rural industries were met by despatch of essential weather information to country postmasters, who were entrusted with the responsibility of releasing it to approved people, while special fire hazard telegrams went to the Forestry Department during the summer months.

Throughout the war, the ordinary work of recording and collating State climatological observations, preparation and restricted issue of stock and harvest reports, wheat crop progress statements and monthly and yearly rain maps was maintained, while the services were catered for by detailed ocean and coastal weather forecasts (for the Navy), area forecasts for Army artillery units, and special aviation statements for the RAAF.

Bureau of Meteorology