|
Surface Observing Network |
|
Source: |
|
|
|
There are 2408 surface observing stations operated by CMA, which consist of 143 National Reference Climatological Stations, 529 National Basic Meteorological Stations and 1816 ordinary meteorological stations. The National Reference Climatological Station makes observation once every hour and its data is used as the reference for the stations in its ambient areas. The National Basic Meteorological Station makes observation every 3 or 6 hours and its data should be transmitted to National Meteorological Center in real time. In ordinary stations the observation is generally made during daytime and the element of observation is normally less. Among these surface stations 654 stations provide SYNOP reports and 402 stations are listed in the global or regional data exchange networks. In addition, 38 stations are selected by WMO as GCOS GSN stations.
Conditions of these stations vary from one place to another. Some are located in the areas up to 4000 meters above sea level, while some are situated in the islands along coast. The working and living conditions there are very difficult.
Radiation observing stations were initially established in 1957. There are now total 98 such stations operated by CMA. They are classified into 3 different levels. There are 17 Level-one stations where global solar radiation, net radiation, direct solar radiation, scattered radiation and reflected radiation are measured, 33 Level-two stations where global solar radiation and net radiation are measured and 48 Level-three stations where only global solar radiation is observed.
CMA started to deploy its AWS in 1997. Up to now about 164 AWS stations have been put into operation. About 324 AWS will be installed in 2002.
There are in total 638 agricultural meteorological stations operated by CMA, in which 398 stations are belong to the national network, while the rest are included in the provincial network.
|
|
|
|
