Weather Observing Program
This page describes the standard operations to meet the requirements of our daily and monthly reporting, long-term statistics and routine performance monitoring, as well as the weather networks receiving our data and our involvement with volunteer programs. It should be viewed in conjunction with our station metadata and quality assurance for a complete overview of our operations.
Standard Operations
A visual observation is nominally taken daily at 9.00 am, with the following data manually appended to electronic files for automated ingest into the database:
- the 24 hour rainfall from the standard rain gauge,
- the 24 hour maximum and minimum temperatures from the electronic check thermometer in the Stevenson Screen to compare with the AWS data,
- the significant weather phenomena in the 24 hours to midnight,
- the current mean sea level pressure from the marine aneroid barometer to compare with the AWS data, and
- an occasional report of cloud, visibility, past and present weather.
The following AWS data are automatically appended to electronic files, usually daily at 9.00 am, for automated ingest into the database:
- the 24 hour maximum temperature,
- the 24 hour minimum temperature,
- the midnight to 9.00 am overnight minimum temperature,
- the 24 hour rainfall to compare with the standard rain gauge,
- the 24 hour highest mean wind speed and wind run,
- the maximum wind gust in the 24 hours to midnight, and
- the current mean sea level pressure from the AWS to compare with official BoM stations.
The following data are extracted from electronic monthly station files downloaded daily at 12 noon for automated ingest into the database:
- the 24 hour maximum and minimum temperatures to 9.00 am recorded by the BoM AWS at Laverton, Avalon and Pt Cook for daily monitoring of our temperature data,
- the 24 hour rainfall to 9.00 am recorded by the BoM AWS at Laverton and the Melbourne Water rain gauge at Hoppers Crossing for daily monitoring of our rainfall data, and
- the 9.00 am mean sea level pressure recorded by the BoM AWS at Laverton and Avalon for validation of our mean sea level pressure data.
For consistency with standard BoM practice, the data are recorded in the database as follows:
- Maximum Temperature : the 24 hours to 9 am, recorded against yesterday's date,
- Minimum Temperature : the 24 hours to 9 am, recorded against today's date,
- Overnight Minimum Temperature : from midnight to 9 am, recorded against today's date,
- Daily Rainfall : the 24 hours to 9 am, recorded against today's date,
- Significant Weather Phenomena : the 24 hours to last midnight, recorded against yesterday's date,
- Maximum Wind Gust : the 24 hours to last midnight, recorded against yesterday's date,
- Maximum Wind Speed : the 24 hours to 9 am, recorded against today's date,
- Wind Run : the 24 hours to 9 am, recorded against today's date, and
- Mean Sea Level Pressure : at 9 am, recorded against today's date.
Weather Networks
The AWS data are shared with these national and international weather exchange networks:
Volunteer Programs
We are a registered Storm Spotter for the BoM and a Community Rainfall Reader for Melbourne Water.
Storm Spotter
Storm Spotters provide "on-the-spot" reports if any of the following are observed during a severe thunderstorm:
- large hail (2 cm in diameter or greater);
- wind gusts (90 kph or greater);
- tornadoes; or
- heavy rainfall conducive to flash flooding.
Established in 1989, the Storm Spotter Network is based on similar networks implemented in Canada and the United States of America. The Storm Spotter Network is an important component of the Severe Thunderstorm Warning Service provided by the BoM, with the timely information helping forecasters to prepare and update severe weather warnings. It also impacts on Australian research into severe thunderstorms by providing a better picture of the frequency and distribution of violent storms.
Rainfall Reader
The network of community rainfall readers comprises more than 350 volunteers who record daily rainfall for Melbourne Water. These records plus data from its own network of electronic rain gauges combine to help understand rainfall patterns across Melbourne, especially after heavy storms, to plan their works. The combined data also helps Melbourne Water to plan responses to droughts and floods, and to make sure that rivers and creeks have enough water to support local wildlife.
Top of page 
Tesa WS1081V3 | Weather Display | FWi Calc