Use of AWS at Meteo Swiss Experiences and

Use of AWS at Meteo. Swiss: Experiences and Perspectives Thomas Frei, Meteo. Swiss, 8044 Zürich, Switzerland

1 st generation of automatic weather stations n - Problems nowadays: New demands by data users Difficulties by replacing instruments IT – Infrastructure must be updated Certain stations must be replaced (either because of the user or because of the land owner)

1 st generation of automatic weather stations

Procedures for the introduction of the 2 nd generation of AWS 1. User requirements – technology free 2. Critical review, cost-benefit approach 3. Statement of guidance 4. Implementation plan

Data user‘s needs Governmental organisations n Universities n Private meteo agencies n National weather service (including climatological unit) n

Definition of different weather stations according to user requirements WESTA S 2 for Synoptics WESTA S 1 for Warning, Modell Input WESTA B(asis) for Synoptics, Climatology, Warning, Modell Input

List of parameters (examples) measured at the different station types Parameter WESTA B WESTA S 1 WESTA S 2 Ground Temp. X Luminosity X Pressure X Snow height X Air Temp. 2 m X Air Temp. 5 cm X X

The new ground based AWS network in Switzerland

General data flow Sensors Data Logger Communication Network Central Data Acquisition System Network and Instrument Monitoring and Data analysing System Message Handling System Data Warehouse

Challenges for the future Demands by users change fast n Technology concerning the sensors increases fast Longtime support is not guaranted n IT – lifecycle becomes shorter n Land owner are less cooperative in terms of long-planning n

Quality control and assurance

Comparison of 1 st versus 2 nd generation of AWS n 2 nd generation of AWS Only one type of weather stations (ANETZ) n Three types of weather stations are defined (B, S 1, S 2) n All needs must be satisfied by one type of AWS n n A lot of own research and development was necessary n Climatological needs are satisfied for example mainly by B-stations ADAS, CDAS, NIMDAS are bought from the market n Several companies were involved for Logger, CDAS n Only two companies are involved (except sensors) n Human observation at the same spot as AWS n Human observation independent from AWS n 1 st generation of AWS n

Implementation for the 2 nd generation of AWS in Switzerland

Special thanks to: Dr. Alain Heimo, Meteo. Swiss, Payerne Dr. Thomas Konzelmann, Meteo. Swiss, Zürich Dr. Catherine Stocker, Meteo. Swiss, Zürich