¶ Automatic Weather Station (MAWS)
¶ Background
The MAWS will replace the THWAPS and SURTHREF as the absolute surface calibration for SONDE.
¶ Additional Information
For more information see MAWS.
¶ Expected Operations
¶ Metrics
The metrics table should be clean except for a few warnings. The MAWS is compared with co-located MET an other instruments to compare meteo variables. There may be some difference based on siting location and orientation. A problem should be evident with consistent flagging.
A warning with the MAWS metrics may be a great indication of a failure with the comparison instrument. A quick look at comparison plot will produce a definite answer.
¶ Plots
The MAWS is a basic meteo instrument measuring atmospheric state parameters. Some great things to monitor are:
- Increase/decrease in temperature with sun rise/sun set
- Peak temperature a few hours after local solar noon
- Minimum temperature right around sunrize
- Dewpoint temperature trending with atmospheric temperature
- Inverse correlation of relative humidity vs. atmospheric temperature
¶ Comparison Plots
Comparisons with other instruments should trend the same and will typically match well with other instruments (ECOR excepted with temperature). The MAWS will be used for absolute calibrations of the SONDE system so the MAWS should compare very well. A problem with a single SONDE is not cause for alarm, but continuous disagreement between the two is indicative of a problem.
¶ Site-Specific Information
The MAWS is located at SGP.
¶ Known Issues
¶ Known Behaviors
Known issues for this instrument that MAY NOT need to be mentioned in your DQA's:
Document some here
¶ Past Problems
Past problems for this instrument that DO need to be mentioned in your DQA's and possibly requiring a DQPR submittal:
The initial deployment of the MAWS system had issues with spikes in the wind speed data. The cause of the spikes was never determined but a new data logger programs was installed that will filter out the spikes. The spikes are believed to come from the collection hardware. See DQPR 4485.
