Weather Observing Program
The real-time observations from the AWS are routinely provided to third party weather exchange networks. We are a registered BoM Storm Spotter and report incidents of severe weather caused by thunderstorms. We are also a community rainfall reader for Melbourne Water.
Real-Time Observations
The real-time observations from the AWS are submitted every 5 minutes to these national and international weather exchange networks:
Standard Observing Practice
The morning observation is nominally taken at 9.00 am, the end of the meteorological day for most elements, and involves recording:
- the 24 hour rainfall from the standard rain gauge recorded against the current day,
- the 24 hour maximum temperature from the AWS recorded against the previous day,
- the 24 hour minimum temperature from the AWS recorded against the current day,
- the 24 hour rainfall from the AWS to compare against the standard rain gauge,
- the minimum temperature after midnight from the AWS recorded against the current day,
- the minimum temperatures from the manual thermometer to compare against the AWS, and
- the significant weather phenomena prior to midnight recorded against the previous day.
The evening observation is nominally taken at 6.00 pm and involves recording the mean sea level pressure from the AWS and marine aneroid barometer to compare against the BoM AWS at Laverton.
Volunteer Storm Spotter
Truganina Weather is a registered volunteer Storm Spotter for the BoM. The Storm Spotter Network is an important component of the Severe Thunderstorm Warning Service provided by the BoM.
Storm Spotters provide "on-the-spot" reports if any of the following are observed:
- large hail (2 cm in diameter or greater);
- wind gusts (90 km/h 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 and accounts for a large proportion of severe weather reports received by the BoM. The timely information helps forecasters to prepare and update severe weather warnings and also impacts on Australian research into severe thunderstorms by providing a better picture of the frequency and distribution of violent storms.
Community Rainfall Reader
Truganina Weather is part of a network of more than 350 volunteer community rainfall readers that record daily rainfall for Melbourne Water.
Melbourne Water uses these volunteer records plus data from its own network of electronic rain gauges 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.
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