MANCLIM Manual of Climatological Observations: background
1.1 Background
This manual has been prepared as a guide for observers who observe and report precipitation and temperature observations under the guidance of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC). The instructions pertain to the exposure, operation, and maintenance of instruments and equipment used by the observer, as well as providing official observing and reporting procedures.
The primary function of a climatological station is to provide a daily record of the precipitation, temperature, or other meteorological phenomena observed. The information acquired is used in climatic, hydrologic, agricultural sciences and other planning and research sectors.
Instruments and training will be provided by the regional MSC office or MSC Maintainer. The observer should advise the regional MSC Technical Services Office (TSO) or MSC Maintainer promptly when any supplies, advice or assistance is required on any matter concerning the observing program. Damaged or defective meteorological equipment or instruments should be reported promptly so that remedial action can be taken with minimum delay.
1.2 Station inspection and maintenance
A qualified MSC Maintainer will be responsible for the installation of required instruments. The MSC Maintainer will also instruct the observer on weather observing procedures, how to report data, and caring for the instruments and equipment. The station will be visited regularly for maintenance of instruments and equipment and to discuss any observing or reporting problems.
Maintenance of the instruments and equipment by observers should be limited to the instructions in Chapters 2 and 3. Instruments should not be moved or relocated without prior approval of the local MSC TSO office or MSC Maintainer, unless immediate action is necessary to prevent damage to them or the environment. Replacement parts supplied to observers may be installed, unless otherwise indicated. The growth of vegetation, trees, shrubs or other changes in the surroundings which affect the exposure of the instruments, necessitating their relocation, should be brought to the attention of the local MSC TSO, the local COOLTAP administrator or the National Monitoring Desk (NMD) through the Interactive Voice Recording (IVR) help line, one of whom will ensure that an MSC Maintainer makes a prompt visit to improve the instrument exposure or move the equipment.
1.3 Observing procedures
If only one observation a day is possible, it should be taken in the morning around 8:00 a.m. local time. For sites that observe twice per day, it is recommended that observations should be once in the morning around 8:00 a.m. local time, and once in the late afternoon around 5:00 p.m. local time. These recommended times are designed to capture the maximum and minimum temperatures for a climatological day and to promote comparability among stations.
Definition of climatological day
Observations taken based on a calendar day cannot capture the minimums and maximums that are truly reflective of the peaks and lows over a 24-hour period. Normally, the coldest period in any given day is just before sunrise and the warmest period in a day is shortly after the sun reaches its zenith in the afternoon. A climatological day was therefore developed to ensure that the maximum and minimum temperatures could be captured. The climatological day tends to start and end at the same hour of two consecutive days. For example, the climatological day begins at the 0601 UTC observations on Day 1 and ends at the 0600 UTC observation on Day 2.
For sites that report two observations over a 24-hour period, MSC uses the following procedure to determine:
- Maximum temperature: For "today" is calculated from the maximum temperature reported for "today's" afternoon (PM) observation compared to the maximum temperature reported for "tomorrow's" morning (AM) observation;
- Minimum temperature: For "today" is calculated from the minimum temperature reported for "today's" morning (AM) observation and for "today's" afternoon (PM) observation;
- Rainfall, snowfall and precipitation totals: For "today" are calculated from "today's" afternoon (PM) observation with "tomorrow's" morning (AM) observation; and
- Snow on the ground: For "today" is based on "today's" morning (AM) observation.
For sites reporting only once per day, the calendar day rather than climatological day applies.
A time that best suits the observer for regular observations should be determined and maintained every day.
1.4 Reporting procedures
There are currently two methods for reporting observations:
- An Internet reporting system, known as "COOLTAP"; and
- An online touch-tone telephone acquisition system, known as "IVR" for "Interactive Voice Recording" system.
Both methods allow observers to enter daily observations directly into the National Climate Data and Information Archive. While COOLTAP is a more rigorous data-acquisition platform, implementation of IVR in areas where Internet access is not available has allowed the co-operative climate network to operate where data are sparse. Detailed instructions for reporting data using COOLTAP or IVR are found in the COOLTAP/IVR manual.
1.5 Alternate observers
It is recommended that another member of the observer's family or other competent person be taught to observe and record precipitation and temperature observations as an alternate so that the climate record will not be interrupted should the regular observer be unable to make the observation. Alternate observers should be provided with a copy of this manual and instructed on proper observing procedures.
Your COOLTAP/IVR account and password should be considered confidential and not distributed to alternate observers. Alternates should be instructed to record the observations in the co-operative climate network observer's handbook or similar observers' notebook and the regular observer should report the observations using COOLTAP or IVR at their earliest convenience.
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