Weatherwatch: rescuing weather records from Ben Nevis

More than 3,000 ‘citizen-scientists’ have transcribed into digital form the 1.5m observations made at the Ben Nevis weather observatory from 1883 to 1904In 1883 a weather observatory was opened on Britain ’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. For the next 21 years the summit observatory was manned continuously by three meteorologists, with detailed measurements taken every hour, day and night, throughout the year. This week around 3,600 “citizen-scientists” finished transcribing the 1.5m observations int o digital form. “We will be able to better examine particular storms and unusual weather events during the time the observatory was open,” saysEd Hawkins from the University of Reading. The records will also help scientists to understand how wind strength and sunshine have varied over the past century, which could be useful to renewable energy providers.Related:Weatherwatch: The Victorian who climbed Ben Nevis every dayContinue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 23, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Kate Ravilious Tags: Meteorology Weather UK news Renewable energy Science Source Type: news