Date ( Publication )

2011-03-30T17:51:00

Purpose

This AWS provides continuous measurements of the seven standard meteorological parameters:

- air temperature (°C);

- relative humidity(%);

- wind speed (m/s);

- wind direction (degree);

- atmospheric pressure (hPa);

- global solar radiation (W/m2);

- total precipitation (mm).The Rwenzori observations will permit to study physical and dynamical processes at Africa high elevations in the framework of SHARE and GEWEX-CEOP HE programs to improve our understanding of variability and change in hydrological and energy cycles and their role in the climate system.

Status

On going

Maintenance and update frequency

As needed

GEMET ( Theme )

• thermal power plant

Keywords

• SHARE , Network , Station , High Altitude

Keywords ( Theme )

• AWS

Keywords ( Place )

• Rwenzori Range , Uganda , Elena Glacier

Keywords ( Theme )

• atmospheric pressure

Use limitation

No conditions apply

Access constraints

Copyright

Other constraints

Metadata language

eng

Character set

UTF8

Topic category

• Climatology, meteorology, atmosphere
• Environment
• Geoscientific information

Supplemental Information

Reference system identifier

EPSG / WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) / 7.4

Topology level

Geometry only

Geometric object type

Point

Geometric object count

13

OnLine resource

SHARE Geonetwork portal  

SHARE Geonetwork portal

OnLine resource

CX115P_Lsi-Lastem.pdf  

CX115 Technical characteristics

OnLine resource

Chapter_3.pdf  

Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation WMO-No. 8-Chapter 3 :”Measurement of atmospheric pressure”

Hierarchy level

Series

Statement

The atmospheric pressure on a given surface is the force per unit area exerted by virtue of the weight of the atmosphere above. The pressure is thus equal to the weight of a vertical column of air above a horizontal

projection of the surface, extending to the outer limit of the atmosphere.

Analysed pressure fields are a fundamental requirement of the science of meteorology. It is imperative that these pressure fields be accurately defined as they form the basis for all subsequent predictions of the state of the atmosphere. Pressure measurements must be as accurate as technology will allow, within realistic financial constraints, and there must be uniformity in the measurement and calibration procedures across national boundaries. The level of accuracy needed for pressure measurements to satisfy the requirements of various

meteorological applications has been identified by the respective WMO commission.

The requirements are as follows:

Measuring range: 500 – 1 080 hPa (both station pressure and mean sea-level pressure)

Required target

uncertainty: 0.1 hPa

Reporting resolution: 0.1 hPa

Sensor time constant: 20 s

Output averaging time: 1 min

In the framework of SHARE (Stations at High Altitude for Research on the Environment) project of Ev-K2-CNR the first permanent Automatic Weather Station (AWS) has been installed in Uganda, on July 18, 2006 at 4,750 m asl in the western part of the Stanley Plateau, the biggest Ruwenzori glacial mass. The AWS is now part of a network of three stations located in the Ruwenzori National Park characterized by an alpine highland of glaciers, snowfields and lakes with distinct vegetation zones, several endangered species and the richest mountain flora in Africa other than a very unusual cloud forest (UNEP, WCMC, 2006). This AWS is similar to the other Ev-K2-CNR AWSs already installed in the high altitude regions of Himalaya and Karakorum. They provide continuous measurements of the seven meteorological standard parameters of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, global solar radiation and total precipitation. In autumn and spring the high mountain climate is subjected to heavy precipitation, while winter and summer are very dry seasons. The collected information will contribute to better understanding the impacts of climate change on glaciers, related particularly in this case to one of the most important glacial system of the African Region. The Rwenzori observations will permit to study physical and dynamical processes at African high elevations in the framework of SHARE and GEWEX-CEOP HE programs to improve our understanding of variability and change in hydrological and energy cycles and their role in the climate system.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS CX115P

Range 1100 hPa (1 hPa=1 mBar)

Sea level correction range -300...+2000 mt.

Thermal drift 0,01 hPa/°C (-10..+60°C)

Linearity&Hysteresis < 0,3% of the range

Overload max. 2 Pa

Load resistance Current output types: <500W.

Power consumption 3 W

Response time (T90) 1 ms

Environmental limits -25 .. +60°C

Output connections terminals

Weight 650 gr.

Housing case material Plastic

Protection IP40 Downward cable outlet

gmd:MD_Metadata

File identifier

8b0a7248-dc8d-4cfe-8372-9b14e70ca440   XML

Metadata language

eng

Character set

UTF8

Parent identifier

3f7b4479-0d17-4199-b43b-383d9a1fd080

Hierarchy level

Series

Date stamp

2011-11-22T15:37:12

Metadata standard name

ISO 19115:2003/19139

Metadata standard version

1.0