The isolated position of Christmas Island makes it an ideal spot for nuclear tests but a very awkward one for weather forecasting. The existing network of met. reporting stations in the area was sparse so new stations were set up at Christmas, Fanning and Malden Islands. These have made regular reports of surface weather and of the wind and temperature structure up to 100,000 feet. The great expanse of water to the east was the major problem and two weather ships, H.M.S. "Ulysses" and H.M.N.Z.S. "Pukaki" have been operating about 300 miles east  of Christmas Island. Finally, daily met. sorties have been flown at low level by Shackleton aircraft and at high level by Canberra aircraft. Though still giving us a good deal less information than we are used to at home this elaborate network has given us a pretty good weather picture.

     Though we have all no doubt grumbled at the rain and the humidity, those with previous tropical experience will surely agree that for this latitude this is as pleasant a climate as one could wish for. We have all seen the sudden alterations from fine weather to heavy rain; the reason is a semi-permanent zone of rainy weather usually just north of Christmas Island.  Fanning Island to the north has bad copious rainfall, Malden Island to the south practically none. Christmas Island oscillates between the two extremes as at home we might say it has no climate - only weather.