At the AWS Namche station the DQA035 Lsi-Lastem rain gauge is mounted on a 1,5 m mast. This model of Rain gauge has a 1.000 cmq collector area. The measurement device is composed of a collector cone and a double chamber bascule connected to a magnete that operates one (optional two) reed switch, which generates impulses that can be counted by external meters: each impulse is equal to 0.2 mm of rain (optional from 0.1 to 0.5 mm). The mechanical and electrical specifications are: - Collector surface area: 1000 cmq - Collector area diameter: 420 mm - Measurements range: 180 mm/hr - Resolution: o,2 mm/imp. (opt. 0,1; 0,3; 0,4; 0,5; mm/imp.) - Accuracy: 0-1 mm/min: 1% 1-3 mm/min: 2% 3-5 mm/min: 4% 5-10 mm/min: 8% - Contact: 1 reed (opt. N.2 reed) 0,5 A/24V non inductive - Pulse duration: 100 msec.± 5 - Collector cone material: Brass - External housing material: Inox AISI30 - Tipping bucket material: Alluminium - Cable: 10 m - Weight: 6,3 kg - Power supply: /thermocover 100 W, 24 Vca/Va

At the AWS Namche station the CM6B Kipp&Zonen pyranometer is installed. It is mounted on a 2m pole. The CM6B is a first class pyranometer as defined by the World Meteorological Organization. It is suitable for the measurement of solar irradiance on a plane surface (W/m2). It incorporates a 64-thermocouple sensor, which is rotationally symmetrical, housed under K5 domes. A white screen prevents the body of the pyranometer from heating up. The pyranometer is supplied with a spirit level and screws for accurate levelling. A drying cartridge keeps the interior free from humidity. The technical characteristics are: - Spectral range 305...2800 nm (50%points) - Sensitivity 9...15µV/Wm-2 - Impedance 70...100 Ohm - Response time 1/e 5 s, 99 % 55 s - Non-linearity <1.5 % (<1000 W/m2) - Tilt error <1.5 % at 1000 W/m2 - Operating temperature -40...+90 °C - Temperature dependence of sensitivity +/- 2% (-10...+40°C) - Maximum irradiance 2000 W/m2 - Directional error <+/- 20 W/m2 at 1000 W/m2 - Weight 0.85 kg - Cable length 10

AWS Namche Station is equipped with a pyranometer ( CM6B Kipp & Zonen ) to measure solar radiation.

In the Khumbu Valley, in the area of Sagarmatha National Park, a network of 6 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) has been installed over the past 10 years. Namche Station is part of the station network of automated measurement stations (AWSs) that were installed in the Eastern Himalayas: the AWSs are located at different altitudes, over a stretch oriented approximately 40 km south to north. The network takes hourly measurements of seven standard parameters: temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, global radiation, total precipitation.

At the AWS Namche station the CX115P Lsi-Lastem barometer is connected with measurement system (recorder, data logger) that accepts analog signals. The barometer functions according to the piezometric principle: a resistive film is deposited on a slice of silica with a bridge form; as the pressure changes, the slice will deform and consequently changes the system's resistance. The CX115P model mounts a special thermal compensation system that significantly reduces drift. Specific characteristic: Range: 800 ž 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 resi stance: 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

In the Khumbu Valley, located in the central part of the Himalayan range and including the area of Sagarmatha National Park, a network of 7 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) has been installed since 1994. These weather stations are located at different altitudes: Lukla (2,660 m a.s.l), Namche (3,570 m a.s.l), Periche (4,260 m a.s.l), Lobuche (5,050 m a.s.l) near the Pyramid - Laboratory Observatory, Kala Patthar (5,600 m a.s.l), Changri Nup Glacier (5,700 m a.s.l) and Mt. Everest - South Col (8.000 m a.s.l). The network mainly takes measurements of 7 standards parameters: air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, global radiation and total precipitation. In 2004 the station close to the Pyramid and Lukla station have been implemented to include sensors for the determination of soil parameters (temperature, water content, thermal flux), snow level and four components of radiation. Meteo-climatic observations in this area are very important to better understand the environmental changes that are affecting the ecosystem, helping the scientific community to improve the prediction of this environmental phenomena’s evolution and modification. The Namche Bazar station is located at the Peak Head Quarter and was installed on October 27, 2001. Geographical coordinates: - Latitude: 27° 48' 8.6" N - Lomgitude: 86° 42' 52" E

In the Khumbu Valley, in the area of Sagarmatha National Park, a network of 6 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) has been installed over the past 10 years. Namche Station is part of the station network of automated measurement stations (AWSs) that were installed in the Eastern Himalayas: the AWSs are located at different altitudes, over a stretch oriented approximately 40 km south to north. The network takes hourly measurements of seven standard parameters: temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, global radiation, total precipitation.

Namche Station is part of the station network of automated measurement stations (AWSs) that were installed in the Eastern Himalayas: the AWSs are located at different altitudes, over a stretch oriented approximately 40 km south to north. At the AWS Namche station the CombiSD DNA022 Lsi-Lastem combined wind speed-direction sensor is mounted on a 5m pole. The CombiSD sensor includes, in a single apparatus, the both transducers for measuring wind speed and wind direction. Its use simplifies the installation and the plant design in respect of the sensors with separate measurements plus giving some other advantages being smaller, lighter and cheaper. The CombiSD DNA022: sensor has a direct signal output. Frequency (Hz) for wind speed and resistance (Ohm) for wind direction. the CombiSD has low power consumption, it can be used in systems with small energy availability.

At the Namche AWS the DMA570 Lsi-Lastem Thermohygrometer is mounted on a 2 m pole. It is a probe for measuring air temperature and air relative humidity with replaceable sensitive element for simplify calibration and maintenance. LSI-Lastem supplies a precise and reliable set of probes, suitable for a continuous measurement in severe environments, in presence of deep thermal and hygrometric ranges with high sun radiant heat. An important feature of this set of sensor is that the thermohygrometric sensitive element is easily replaceable, in order to have a simple and rapid ordinary maintenance and avoiding calibration. The Thermohygrometer has supported a considerable improvement, owing to a deep technical and styling development process: a fan ensures a continuos air change around the sensor in order to eliminate temperature fault caused by radiant heat. For temperature: Range -30.+70°C Sensitive element Pt100 1/3 DIN-B Accuracy ± 0,1°C (0°C) Hysteresis&Repeatability na Resolution 0,025°C Long term stability -0.04% (after 5 years at 200°C) Calibration uncertainty 0,1°C Response time (T63) Wind speed 0,3-0,5 m/s: 80sec Radiation shield efficiency with respect to forced ventilation sensor (wind 0,5m/s, rad.800 W/m2): +0,6°C For relative humidity: Range: Nom.0..100%, Eff.10..98% Sensitive element Capacitive Accuracy 2,5% (11-90%) 0,6°C (20°C, 50%RH) Hysteresis&Repeatability 0,5% Resolution 0,2% Long term stability -2%/year (at 75%RH) n.a. Calibration uncertainty 0,1°C 1,5% na Response time (T63) Wind speed 0,3-0,5 m/s: 80sec Radiation shield efficiency with respect to forced ventilation sensor (wind 0,5m/s, rad.800 W/m2): n.a. General characteristic: Ventilation: Natural Electric output Jumper locally selectable 2 x 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA, 0-5 V, 1-5 V. 60-300 mV Output signals Output n.1: temperature. Output n.2: RH% or dew point (default RH%) Operating temperature -30°+70°C Sampling rate 1 sec. (default) PC programmable 1..300 sec. N°acquisitions for mobile average calculation: N°1 (default), PC programmable 1..20 acquisitions Load resistance (mA output): DMA570 300 Ohm

Namche Station is part of the station network of automated measurement stations (AWSs) that were installed in the Eastern Himalayas: the AWSs are located at different altitudes, over a stretch oriented approximately 40 km south to north. At the AWS Namche station the CombiSD DNA022 Lsi-Lastem combined wind speed-direction sensor is mounted on a 5m pole. The CombiSD sensor includes, in a single apparatus, the both transducers for measuring wind speed and wind direction. Its use simplifies the installation and the plant design in respect of the sensors with separate measurements plus giving some other advantages being smaller, lighter and cheaper. The CombiSD DNA022: sensor has a direct signal output. Frequency (Hz) for wind speed and resistance (Ohm) for wind direction. the CombiSD has low power consumption, it can be used in systems with small energy availability. The CombiSD sensor includes, in a single apparatus, the both transducers for measuring wind speed and wind direction. Its use simplifies the installation and the plant design in respect of the sensors with separate measurements plus giving some other advantages being smaller, lighter and cheaper. The CombiSD DNA022: sensor has a direct signal output. Frequency (Hz) for wind speed and resistance (Ohm) for wind direction. the CombiSD has low power consumption, it can be used in systems with small energy availability. The technical characteristics are: - Principle of operation: 3 cups and vane anemometer - Speed sensor: Optoelectronic disk - Direction sensor: 2000 Ohm wire potentiometer / Positioning Hall effect sensor - Housing: Heavy gauge anodised aluminium - Shaft carriers: Low-torque stainless steel bearings - Protection (vertical position): IP65 - Mechanical mounting: On 48 50 mm diameter mast - Electrical outlet terminators: IP65 watertight connector - Weight (instrument with rotors): 950 gr. The Physical and operational specification are: - damage threshold > 75 m/s - operating temperature: -30°+70°C The speed measures are specified by: - Measurement range: 0-60 m/s (using transfer function) - Threshold: 0,21 m/s - Response time (63% at 5 m/s): 0.8 s - Distance constant (delay distance) at 5 m/s: 4 m - Resolution (integration time=1s): 0.05 m/s - Accuracy & Linearity: 0,1 m/s+1%VL (readout), if connected to LASTEM data loggers. The direction measures are specified by: - Measurement range: 0 ÷ 360 - Threshold: 0,15 m/s - Response time (at 5 m/s): 0,26 s - Delay distance (at 5 m/s): 1,32 m - Damping coefficient (VDI3786): 0,21 - Transfer function: Dir(°)= 355 x R(Ohm)/2000 - Resolution: 0,1 - Accuracy: 1% FS (Full scale) - Integral linearity: 0,5%