Quality Assurance
This page outlines the systematic monitoring of the AWS data to ensure the highest quality possible. It should be viewed in conjunction with our station metadata and observing program for a complete overview of our operations. Although we strive to provide high quality data you should never base important decisions on the data we provide.
Tesa WS1081V3 AWS
Rainfall
The AWS rain gauge has a resolution of 0.3 mm and is used for all real-time reporting. The AWS rainfall data are routinely compared against the standard rain gauge that can be read to 0.1 mm, and is used for all daily and monthly reporting, and long-term statistics.
This ongoing comparison evaluates whether a coefficient is needed in the weather monitoring software to improve the accuracy of the AWS rainfall data. The details of any rainfall coefficient is listed in the station metadata.
Temperature
The AWS thermo-hygrograph is protected from direct solar radiation and other sources of radiated heat by a homemade solar-powered fan aspirated radiation shield (FARS). The FARS passes air over the thermo-hygrograph to reduce temperature spikes under some circumstances.
The AWS maximum and minimum temperature data are compared against a check thermometer in the Stevenson Screen for accuracy, and against official sites in the nearby BoM AWS network for consistency. The results of the ongoing comparisons are presented in the temperature verification.
Mean Sea Level Pressure (MSLP)
The absolute pressure is the measured atmospheric pressure. The relative pressure is the atmospheric pressure corrected down to sea level, and is calculated by applying a height offset to the absolute pressure on the console and in the weather monitoring software. The relative pressure, more commonly known as MSLP, is the most important element on a station weather plot.
The AWS MSLP data are routinely compared against the MSLP data from the BoM AWS at Laverton. This ongoing comparison evaluates the need for a pressure offset in the weather monitoring software to improve the accuracy of the AWS MSLP data. Details of the current pressure offset are listed in the station metadata.
Wind Speed and Direction
The AWS anemometer and wind vane are installed at a height of about 2 m instead of the standard height of 10 m. The quality of the wind data is therefore compromised and should be used with caution.
Daily Monitoring
To check for consistency with official stations nearby, the daily rainfall from the standard rain gauge is compared against the BoM AWS at Laverton RAAF and the Melbourne Water rain gauge at Hoppers Crossing, whilst the daily maximum and minimum temperatures from the AWS are routinely compared against the BoM AWS at Laverton RAAF, Avalon Airport and Point Cook RAAF.
[ back ]
Top of page 