Use of AWS at Use of AWS at MeteoSwiss: MeteoSwiss: Experiences and Experiences and PerspectivesPerspectives

Thomas Frei, MeteoSwiss,Thomas Frei, MeteoSwiss,8044 Zürich, Switzerland8044 Zürich, Switzerland

11stst generation of automatic generation of automatic weather stationsweather stations

Problems nowadays:Problems nowadays:- New demands by data usersNew demands by data users- Difficulties by replacing instrumentsDifficulties by replacing instruments- IT – Infrastructure must be updatedIT – Infrastructure must be updated- Certain stations must be replaced Certain stations must be replaced

(either because of the user or (either because of the user or because of the land owner)because of the land owner)

11stst generation of automatic generation of automatic weather stationsweather stations

Procedures for the introduction Procedures for the introduction of the 2of the 2ndnd generation of AWS generation of AWS

1.1. User requirements –User requirements –

technology freetechnology free

2.2. Critical review, cost-benefit Critical review, cost-benefit approachapproach

3.3. Statement of guidanceStatement of guidance

4.4. Implementation planImplementation plan

Data user‘s needsData user‘s needs

Governmental organisationsGovernmental organisations UniversitiesUniversities Private meteo agenciesPrivate meteo agencies National weather service National weather service

(including climatological unit)(including climatological unit)

Definition of different weather Definition of different weather stations according to user stations according to user requirementsrequirements

WESTA S2 for SynopticsWESTA S2 for Synoptics

WESTA S1 for Warning, Modell InputWESTA S1 for Warning, Modell Input

WESTA B(asis) for Synoptics, Climatology, Warning, Modell InputWESTA B(asis) for Synoptics, Climatology, Warning, Modell Input

ParameterParameter WESTA BWESTA B WESTA WESTA S1S1

WESTA WESTA S2S2

Ground Ground Temp.Temp.

XX

LuminosityLuminosity XXPressurePressure XX XXSnow heightSnow height XXAir Temp. Air Temp. 2m2m

XX XX XX

Air Temp. Air Temp. 5cm5cm

XX

List of parameters (examples) List of parameters (examples) measured at the different station measured at the different station typestypes

The new ground based AWS The new ground based AWS network in Switzerlandnetwork in Switzerland

General data flowGeneral data flow

Sensors

Data Logger

Communication Network

Central Data Acquisition System

Network and InstrumentMonitoring and Data analysing System

Message Handling System

Data Warehouse

Challenges for the futureChallenges for the future

Demands by users change fastDemands by users change fast Technology concerning the Technology concerning the

sensors increases fast sensors increases fast Longtime Longtime support is not guarantedsupport is not guaranted

IT – lifecycle becomes shorter IT – lifecycle becomes shorter Land owner are less cooperative in Land owner are less cooperative in

terms of long-planningterms of long-planning

Quality control and assuranceQuality control and assurance

Comparison of 1Comparison of 1stst versus 2 versus 2ndnd generation of AWSgeneration of AWS

11stst generation of generation of AWSAWS

Only one type of weather Only one type of weather stations (ANETZ)stations (ANETZ)

All needs must be satisfied All needs must be satisfied by one type of AWSby one type of AWS

A lot of own research and A lot of own research and development was development was necessarynecessary

Several companies were Several companies were involved for Logger, CDASinvolved for Logger, CDAS

Human observation at the Human observation at the same spot as AWSsame spot as AWS

22ndnd generation of generation of AWSAWS

Three types of weather Three types of weather stations are defined (B, S1, stations are defined (B, S1, S2)S2)

Climatological needs are Climatological needs are satisfied for example satisfied for example mainly by B-stationsmainly by B-stations

ADAS, CDAS, NIMDAS are ADAS, CDAS, NIMDAS are bought from the marketbought from the market

Only two companies are Only two companies are involved (except sensors)involved (except sensors)

Human observation Human observation independent from AWSindependent from AWS

Implementation for the 2Implementation for the 2ndnd generation of AWS in Switzerlandgeneration of AWS in Switzerland

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

AW

S u

nit

s

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

PilotANETZENET, Klima

Special thanks to:Special thanks to:

Dr. Alain Heimo, MeteoSwiss, PayerneDr. Alain Heimo, MeteoSwiss, Payerne

Dr. Thomas Konzelmann, MeteoSwiss, Dr. Thomas Konzelmann, MeteoSwiss, ZürichZürich

Dr. Catherine Stocker, MeteoSwiss, Dr. Catherine Stocker, MeteoSwiss, ZürichZürich