WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION INSTRUMENTS AND OBSERVING METHODS REPORT No. 87 TRAINING MATERIAL ON AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS E. Büyükbas (Turkey) L. Yalcin (Turkey) Z.T. Dag (Turkey) S. Karatas (Turkey) WMO/TD-No. 1307 2006 NOTE The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or its authorities, or concerning the limitation of the frontiers or boundaries. This report has been produced without editorial revision by the Secretariat. It is not an official WMO publication and its distribution in this form does not imply endorsement by the Organization of the ideas expressed. FOREWORD The Thirteenth Session of the Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation (CIMO) recognized the need for training and placed a greater emphasis on these issues as it planned its activities for its 13th Intersessional period. As next generation automated weather observing systems are deployed the need for more in depth training in instrument and platform siting, operation, calibration, and maintenance has been requested. Within this document the team of experts from Turkey, led by Mr Büyükbas, provided training materials that address the basic training needs requested by Commission Members. This excellent work will undoubtedly become a useful tool in training staff in many aspects of automatic weather observation systems. I wish to express our sincere gratitude to Mr Büyükbas and his colleagues in preparing such a fine series of documents. (Dr. R.P. Canterford) Acting President Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation TRAINING MATERIAL ON AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS (AWOS) MODULES MODULE A: Introduction to Observing Systems MODULE B1: Measuring Principles of the Sensors Installed in an AWOS MODULE B2: Measurements MODULE C1: Data Acquisition System MODULE C2: Communication MODULE D: Data Processing System MODULE F: Quality Control and Quality Management in AWOS Network MODULE G: Experiences of the Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) on Operation of AWOS Network TRAINING MATERIAL ON AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS (AWOS) COURSE SYLLABUS Training Course on “AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS” 06-10 June 2005 COURSE SYLLABUS 1. OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE This course has been planned to be organized within the scope of the tasks of Expert Team on Training Activities and Training Materials established by CIMO Management Group (OPAG on Capacity Building (OPAG-CB)/C.1. Expert Team on Training Activities and Training Materials) This course is expected to give a general view and information to the trainees about the basic features of Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and why and how to operate an AWOS network. It is believed that to organize such training courses will give an invaluable contribution to the capacity building activities and will be a great opportunity to be able exchange the experiences and information between the meteorological services of different countries. On the other hand, as in that case, Regional Meteorological Training Centres will be used more efficiently. Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) started modernization program of observation network and got many experience both on equipment itself and operating them. So TSMS’s well trained staff will take the opportunity to transfer their knowledge and experiences to the representatives of the other countries and get their experiences, comments and recommendations by means of that interactive training course. Upon completion of the course; Trainees will be able to; a) understand why we need more reliable, more accurate and continuous meteorological data and how these requirements can be met, b) learn basic principles and approach of an AWOS which has become a necessity for the meteorological observations, c) take the opportunity to inspect an operational AWOS and to make practical applications on it, d) get the view how to maintain a single AWOS and an AWOS network. Trainers will be able to; a) understand weak and strong parts of their knowledge and teaching method, b) learn how they can transfer their knowledge to the trainees, c) take the opportunity to check their system’s features once more under the inspection and questions of the trainees, d) get comments, experiences and recommendations of the representatives of the other countries. http://rmtc.meteor.gov.tr 1 Training Course on “AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS” 06-10 June 2005 2. COURSE CONTENT Lecture - Lecture Lecture Nr. Topic Training Material Training Method Lecturer Day / Hour Module 09:00 – 10:00 Opening Ceremony Introduction to Observing Systems • Prepared text book and • Theoretical explanation by Power 1 / 1 CD point presentation 1 A • Brief description of purpose, use and importance of • Projector . Ercan BÜYÜKBAŞ meteorological data to be observed 10:00 – 10:45 • Conventional observing systems Why do meteorological services need AWOS? • Prepared text book and • Theoretical explanation by Power 1 / 2 CD point presentation 2 A • Types and classification of AWOS • AWOS equipment • Supported by visual inspection of Ercan BÜYÜKBAŞ • Basic Components of AWOS equipment provided in the lecture 11:00 – 11:45 • Projector • Criteria for site selection room 12:00 – 13:15 Lunch Break Measuring principles of meteorological parameters by • Prepared text book and CD • Theoretical explanation by using electronic devices • Samples of wind sensors Power point presentation • How do electronics sense the change in the • Projector • Supported by visual inspection meteorological parameters? • Drawing board of equipment provided in the 1 / 3 • General layout of sensors in the observing park lecture room 3 B • Drawings on the board Levent YALÇIN Principles of measuring surface wind 13:15 – 14:00 • Wind speed • Wind direction • Wind frequency • Wind fluctuation Principles of measuring solar radiation • Prepared text book and CD • Theoretical explanation by • Direct solar radiation • Samples of pressure and Power point presentation 1 / 4 • Diffuse solar radiation solar radiation sensors • Supported by visual inspection • Global solar radiation • Hand-outs of equipment provided in the 4 B Levent YALÇIN • Net and total radiation • Drawing board lecture room 14:15 – 15:00 • Sun duration • Projector • Drawings on the board Principles of measuring air pressure QFE, QFF, QNH Principles of measuring precipitation • Prepared text book and CD • Theoretical explanation by 1 / 5 • Tipping bucket rain-gauge • Samples of rain gauges Power point presentation • Weighing type rain-gauge • Supported by visual inspection 5 B • Hand-outs Levent YALÇIN • Drawing board of equipment provided in the 15:15 – 16:00 Review of the day • Projector lecture room • Questions and Answers • Drawings on the board http://rmtc.meteor.gov.tr 2 Training Course on “AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEMS” 06-10 June 2005 Lecture - Lecture Lecture Nr. Topic Training Material Training Method Lecturer Day / Hour Module Principles of measuring temperature and humidity • Prepared text book and • Theoretical explanation by • Air temperature CD Power point presentation 2 / 1 • Soil temperature • Samples of temperature • Supported by visual inspection of 6 B • Relative humidity sensors equipment provided in the Zafer Turgay DAĞ • Hand-outs lecture room 09:00 – 09:45 • Soil moisture • Drawing board • Drawings on the board • Projector Principles of optical sensors for measuring visibility and • Prepared text book and • Theoretical explanation by 2 / 2 cloud height CD Power point presentation • Tranmissometer • Samples of AWOS parts • Visual inspection will be 7 B Zafer Turgay DAĞ • Forward scattered meter • Hand-outs available on site 10:00 – 10:45 • Present weather sensor. • Drawing board • Drawings on the board • Projector • Distrometer • Prepared text book and • Theoretical explanation by 2 / 3 • Ceilometer CD Power point presentation 8 B • Hand-outs • Visual inspection will be Zafer Turgay DAĞ • Drawing board available on site 11:00 – 11:45 • Projector • Drawings on the board 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch Break Data acquisition system • Prepared text book and • Theoretical explanation by 2 / 4 • Data collection unit CD Power point presentation 9 C • Basic features and components for minimum requirements • Hand-outs • Supported by visual inspection of Soner KARATAŞ (sensors, sensor interfaces, communication equipment, • Drawing board equipment provided in the 13:15 – 14:00 power supplies, alternative power sources, and accessories) • A sample of DCU lecture room Projector Drawings on the board Communication • Prepared text book and • Theoretical explanation by 2 / 5 • Communication between DCU and local station CD Power point presentation • Communication between local station and remote centre • Hand-outs • Supported by visual inspection of 10 C Soner KARATAŞ • Communication between DCU and remote centre • Drawing board equipment provided in the 14:15 – 15:00 • Some of communication lecture room accessories • Drawings on the board Projector Data Processing System • Prepared text book and • Theoretical explanation by • Data processing and message generation CD Power point presentation 2 / 6 • Data visualisation • Demonstration software • Supported by visual inspection of 11 D • Data archiving • Projector equipment provided in the Soner KARATAŞ lecture room 15:15 – 16:00 • Network monitoring and maintenance