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

In 2008 at South Col the CombiSD DNA022 sensor (LSI-Lastem, Italy) was installed. During the 2011 expedition, this sensor was replaced with a prototype (LSI-Lastem) to support with another sensor manufactured by VAISALA: WA15D7B. The WA15 is based on accurate sensors installed on a large crossarm. It is designed for demanding wind measurement applications. Three lightweight, conical cups mounted on the cup wheel, provide excellent linearity over the entire operating range, up to 75 m/s. A wind-rotated chopper disc attached to the shaft of the cup wheel cuts an infrared light beam 14 times per revolution. This generates a pulse output from the phototransistor. The output pulse rate is directly proportional to wind speed (e.g. 246 Hz = 24.6 m/s). However, for the highest accuracy, the characteristic transfer function should be used to compensate for starting inertia.

In 2008 expedition, at South Col was installed the DMA572 termohygrometer, that was replaced during the 2011 expedition with two DMA672 termohygrometers and one DMA033 thermometer. All these sensors are manufactered by LSI-Lastem (Italy). DMA 672 thermohygrometer is an instrument for measuring temperature and relative humidity and suitable for a continuous measurement in severe environments; in presence of deep thermal and hygrometric ranges with high sun radiant heat. An importatnt 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. Technical characteristics for temperature: Range: -30 to 70°C Sensitive element: Pt100 Class B 1/3 DIN Sensitive element replacement: sensor replacement Accuracy (Repeatability+ Hysteresis): ±0,1°C (0°C) Resolution: n.a. Response time (Sens. Element): 10 s Thermal drift: n.a. Long term stability: <1°C year Operating temperature: -50°÷100°C Technical characteristics for relative humidity: Range: 0 to100% Sensitive element: Capacitive Sensitive element replacement: sensor replacement Accuracy (Repeatability+ Hysteresis): 1,5% (5 to 95%, 23°C) Resolution: 0,12% Response time (Sens. element): 10 s Thermal drift: Max ± 1,5% Long term stability: <1 RH% year DMA033 Thermometer is well-suited for environmental outdoor measurements, with natural or forced ventilation antiradiant shield. Technical characteristics: Range : -40 to70°C Sensitive element: Pt100 1/3 DIN-B Accuracy: ±0,1C (0°C) Repeatability: 1/5 accuracy Electric output: Pt100 ? 1/3 DIN Operating temperature: -40°to 95°C Protection (vertical pos.): IP66

In both 2008 and 2011 expeditions a CM6B Kipp&Zonen radiometer was installed at South Col. This sensor 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. CM6B technical data - Spectral range 305 to 2800 nm (50%points) - Sensitivity 9 to 15 ?V/Wm-2 - Impedance 70 to 100 Ohm - Response time 1/e 5 s, 99 % 55 s - Non-linearity <1.5 % (<1000 W/m 2 ) - Tilt error <1.5 % at 1000 W/m 2 - Operating temperature -40 to +90 °C - Temperature dependence of sensitivity _2 % (-10 to +40 °C) - Maximum irradiance 2000 W/m2 - Directional error < _20 W/m2 at 1000 W/m2 - Weight 0.85 kg - Cable length 10 m

Young 8100 anemometer technical data: - Wind Speed: 0 to 40 m/s (0 to 90 mph) Resolution: 0.01 m/s Threshold: 0.01 m/s Accuracy: ±1% ±0.05m/s (30 m/s), ±3% (40 m/s) - Wind Direction: 0 to 360 degrees Elevation Range: ±60 degrees Resolution: 0.1 degree Accuracy:± 2 degrees (30 m/s), ± 5 degrees (40 m/s) - Speed of Sound: 300 to 360 m/s Resolution: 0.01 m/s Accuracy: ± 0.1% ± 0.05 m/s (30 m/s) - Sonic Temperature: -50 to +50 ˚C Resolution: 0.01 m/s Accuracy: ±2˚C (30 m/s) - Serial Output: User Programmable ASCII, RS-232 or RS-485 1200 to 38400 baud 4 to 32 Hz (user-selected) Units: m/s, cm/s, mph, knots, km/h -Analog Voltage Outputs: 4 voltage outputs, 0 to 5000 mV - Power Requirement: 12 to 24 VDC, 110 mA - Operating Temperature: -50 to +50 °C - Dimensions: 56cm high x 17cm radius (3 support arms) Weight: 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) Shipping Weight: 4.5 kg (10 lb)

Both in 2008 and in 2011 expedition a PTB330 barometer was installed at South Col. This sensor is manufactured by Vaisala company. The operating principle on the basis of its work is that when the pressure changes, the silicon diaphragm bends and changes theheight of the vacuum gap in the sensor. This changes the capacitance of the sensor, which is measured and converted into a pressure reading. Technical characteristics: Range: 50 to 1100 hPa Accuracy at +20 °C (serial output): ±0.30 hPa Total accuracy at -40 to +60 °C (serial output): ±0.45 Accuracy for 50 to 1100 hPa (analog output): ±0.40 hPa at +20 °C; ±0.75 hPa between -40/+60 Temperature dependence : ±0.3 hPa Long-term stability: ±0.2 hPa/year

High volume aerosol sampler for chemical analyses of atmospheric aerosol.

Pakistan, which is characterized by the most developed irrigation system in the world for arid and semi-arid soils already subject to saturation and salinization, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of aerosols including climate change impacts. Its fragile watersheds will be at additional risk if rainfalls, although more sporadic, become increasingly intense, causing an intensification of erosion in the western Himalayas. Within the framework of ABC, SHARE and NEXTDATA it is proposed to set up an aerosol observatory in Karakoram, Pakistan. The rEMOTE cLIMATE sTATION (rcs) in Deosai is extremely important for understanding environmental changes and impacts at local levels in the Karakoram Mountain regions as well as at regional and global levels, furthermore, together with the station Nepal Climate Observatory at Pyramid (NCO-P), installed in Nepal near the Pyramid Laboratory-Observatory at 5,079 m asl and operative since 2006, are the unique high altitude observatories of the ABC network, representative of atmospheric background conditions. Coordinates: Latitude: 35° 04' 48.88" N Longitude: 75° 31'48.28" E Elevation: 4.135 m a.s.l.

The Italian Climate Observatory “O. Vittori” (ICO-OV), is a research infrastructure managed by the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC) of the National Reaserach Council (CNR). It is the only high mountain station for atmospheric research both South of the Alps and the Po basin and it represents a strategic platform to study the chemical-physical characteristics and climatology of the South Europe and North Mediterranean basin. The ICO-OV is part of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Station at High Altitude for Research on the Environment (SHARE) project by EV-K2-CNR.

In the framework of the SusKat (Sustainable Atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley), ABC-UNEP and NextData Projects, CNR-ISAC and URT Ev-K2-CNR participated in the setting-up of the Kathmandu (Pakanajol) monitoring station. In particular, the station is equipped with: • meteorological sensors; • global pyranometer for downward solar short-wave radiation; • surface ozone analyzer; • optical particle counter for aerosol size distribution from 0.3 to 10 micron; • on-line PM1/PM10 analyser ; • multi-angle absorption photometer for equivalent black carbon mass measurement.