Quality Assurance
This page describes the meteorological and environmental elements we monitor and the instrumentation we use. It also outlines the automatic monitoring of the AWS data to ensure the highest quality possible. Although we strive to provide high quality data you should never base important decisions on the data we provide.
The page should be viewed in conjunction with our station metadata and observing program for a complete overview of our operations.
Observed Elements
Rainfall
The AWS rain gauge has a resolution of 0.3 mm and is used for all real-time reporting. The standard rain gauge is read to 0.1 mm and is used for all daily and monthly reporting, and long-term statistics.
The accuracy of the AWS rainfall is assessed by routinely comparing the data to the standard rain gauge. This ongoing comparison recommends the sensor correction that should be applied in the weather monitoring software to improve the accuracy of the AWS rainfall data. The current sensor correction 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 accuracy of the AWS maximum and minimum temperatures is assessed by routinely comparing the data to a digital check thermometer in the Stevenson Screen. The results from this ongoing comparison, as well as the quantitative results from consistency checks with nearby official stations in the BoM AWS network, are presented on our temperature verification page.
Pressure
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 to the MSLP data from the BoM AWS at Laverton RAAF and Avalon Airport. This ongoing comparison recommends the sensor correction that should be applied in the weather monitoring software to improve the accuracy of the AWS MSLP data. The current sensor correction is listed in the station metadata.
Wind
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.
Lightning
The Ecowitt lightning sensor detects electromagnetic disturbances caused by atmospheric electrical discharges. The sensor detects both cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud lightning within a radius of about 40 km.
Air Quality
The Ecowitt air quality sensor measures fine particulate matter up to 2.5 microns (micrometers) in diameter. By way of comparison, a human hair is about 100 microns in diameter. These fine particles are easily inhaled and can pose severe health risks by penetrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream.
Particle sensors are less accurate than other types of particle monitors, however they are relatively cheap and easy to operate. Different particles scatter light beams differently depending on the type and mixture of particles, so a particle sensor may detect particles from vehicle emissions differently to particles from smoke. They are also highly sensitive in very humid conditions, such as fog. Despite these limitations, particle sensors are a popular way to monitor air quality and provide useful information about air quality rather than precise air pollution measurements.
Daily Monitoring
The table below lists our daily data alongside the equivalent data from nearby official stations. The official rainfall stations are the BoM AWS at Laverton RAAF and the Melbourne Water rain gauge at Hoppers Crossing. The official temperature data are from the BoM AWS at Laverton RAAF, Avalon Airport and Point Cook RAAF.
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