Air temperature measurements using autonomous self-recording dataloggers in mountainous and snow covered areas

• Published in: Atmospheric research Vol. 224; pp. 168 - 179
• Main Authors: Navarro-Serrano, F., López-Moreno, J.I., Azorin-Molina, C., Buisán, S., Domínguez-Castro, F., Sanmiguel-Vallelado, A., Alonso-González, E., Khorchani, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2019
• Subjects: Air temperature; boundary-layer; climate; Complex terrain; cooling; Earth and Related Environmental Sciences; Geovetenskap och relaterad miljövetenskap; latitude; measurement errors; Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences; microprocessors; mountains; Radiation shield; sensors; Snow; snowpack; SPICE (Solid Precipitation Intercomparison Experiment); Temperature logger; temperature profiles; thermistors; uncertainty; valley; variability; wind; Radiation shield; SPICE (Solid Precipitation Intercomparison Experiment); Temperature logger; Snow; Complex terrain; Air temperature
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2019.03.034

High mountain areas are poorly represented by official weather observatories. It implies that new instruments must be evaluated over snow-covered and strongly insolated environments (i.e. mid-latitude mountain areas). We analyzed uncertainty sources over snow covered areas including: 1) temperature logger accuracy and bias of two widely used temperature sensors (Tinytag and iButton); 2) radiation shield performance under various radiation, snow, and wind conditions; 3) appropriate measurement height over snow covered ground; and 4) differences in air temperature measured among nearby devices over a horizontal band. The major results showed the following. 1) Tinytag performance device (mean absolute error: MAE ≈ 0.1–0.2 °C in relation to the reference thermistor) was superior to the iButton (MAE ≈ 0.7 °C), which was subject to operating errors. 2) Multi-plate radiation shield showed the best performance under all conditions (> 90% samples has bias between ±0.5 °C). The tube shield required wind (> 2.5 m s−1) for adequate performance, while the funnel shield required limited radiation (< 400 W m−2). Snow cover causes certain overheating. 3) Air temperatures were found to stabilize at 75–100 cm above the snow surface. Air temperature profile was more constant at night, showing a considerable cooling on near surface at midday. 4) Horizontal air temperature differences were larger at midday (0.5 °C). These findings indicate that to minimize errors air temperature measurements over snow surfaces should be carried out using multi-plate radiation shields with high-end thermistors such as Tinytags, and be made at a minimum height above the snow covered ground. [Display omitted] •Autonomous dataloggers are an appropriate option in snow-covered areas.•Tinytag devices showed a robust and constant performance, as opposed to iButtons.•Shield design must be kept in mind in function of snow-wind-radiation conditions.•Air temperature showed stabilization at 75–100 cm above the snow cover surface.•Air temperature differences are largest at midday due to solar radiation.