EUMETNET AWS

AWS (Automatic Weather Stations)


The Objectives

The Purpose of the Programme was to define common specifications for Automatic Weather Stations in Europe to avoid Eumetnet Members to dedicate their resources to defining their own AWS specification requirements. In longer terms this should result in the establishment of a market of European size for such systems, which will in turn make possible a decrease of costs.

The Tasks

The project distinguished four types of AWS (synoptic, airport, limited capability and climatological station). After a survey of requirements and of the state of the art of the current systems, the project proposed standard functional definitions. After approval of these, the project was completed in April 2000 providing the Technical Specifications of the AWS.

AWS SURVEY REPORT, where statistics and synthesis about status of the art and requirements may be found.
AWS FUNCTIONAL DEFINITIONS where the requirements are described.
AWS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS where the requirements in technical specifications are detailed.

Organisation

The Italian National Meteorological Service was Responsible for the Programme.

The work was performed by Ufficio Generale per la Meteorologia.

The Programme Manager was Dr. Luigi De Leonibus