43
descriptions and representations of the surroundings of stations, and it also outlines
better documentation of network characteristics, standardized approaches, and recommended guidelines for urban observations to follow.
Before the deployment of a meteorological station, logistics and plans are
needed. The establishment a new urban climate network requires a huge financial
commitment from the developer; underscoring the need for forward-looking planning. Prior to implementation, the investigator should make efforts to find suitable
meteorological sites and instruments; determine their measurement programs; and
describe the frequency of maintenance and calibration procedures required by quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) systems for any kind of measurement.
The observation of urban climate can proceed through mobile measurements and
stationary sites. Because of the relatively high cost and difficulty in siting equipment for fixed meteorological monitoring stations, their deployment and maintenance ultimately results in sparse data coverage for urban areas. In this document,
recommendations are made for the operation of fixed meteorological stations and
networks, which are the only way to gain sufficient, detailed information from
urban regions. These observation methods can be complemented by remote sensing
techniques used for interpolation, but even these do not allow for the appropriate
spatial and temporal resolution or a sufficiently wide range of observed variables.
Traditionally, meteorological measurements have not been taken in urban areas
but in open areas representing larger regions, as the WMO (2008) prescribed in siting
synoptic measuring stations, and as it was also presented in Chapter 5 of the UHI
Assessment Manual. However, on many occasions it is impossible or makes no sense
to conform to these guidelines. This document recommends some principles that will
help in such circumstances, even though it is not possible to anticipate all eventualities. The recommendations presented here remain in agreement with general objectives set out by the WMO (see the chapter “Exposure of instruments”). Many urban
stations have been placed over short grass in open locations (parks, playing fields),
and as a result they are actually monitoring an environment of the type modified rural.
In many respects, the generally accepted standards for the exposure of meteorological
instruments set out in WMO (2008) applies to urban sites. All details, including deviations from guidelines, should be logged thorough “metadata” (additional information about the whole network), which is essential in order to provide a data end-user
with the information required to process and use the network’s data adequately.
This paper aims to provide instruction on how to obtain integrated and harmonized
measurement data in relation to UHI phenomenon, by standardizing and unifying
urban microclimate data. Toward these ends, the following items will be discussed:
• Defining urban climate zones
• Site placement
• Network design
• Instrumentation
• Operational definition
• Reporting of data.
Complex, morphologically heterogeneous urban environments must be studied
in fine detail, so it as necessary to obtain a better understanding of weather and climate interactions and impacts in these areas. Robust planning, design, field docu2 Urban Heat Island Gold Standard and Urban Heat Island Atlas
descriptions and representations of the surroundings of stations, and it also outlines
better documentation of network characteristics, standardized approaches, and recommended guidelines for urban observations to follow.
Before the deployment of a meteorological station, logistics and plans are
needed. The establishment a new urban climate network requires a huge financial
commitment from the developer; underscoring the need for forward-looking planning. Prior to implementation, the investigator should make efforts to find suitable
meteorological sites and instruments; determine their measurement programs; and
describe the frequency of maintenance and calibration procedures required by quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) systems for any kind of measurement.
The observation of urban climate can proceed through mobile measurements and
stationary sites. Because of the relatively high cost and difficulty in siting equipment for fixed meteorological monitoring stations, their deployment and maintenance ultimately results in sparse data coverage for urban areas. In this document,
recommendations are made for the operation of fixed meteorological stations and
networks, which are the only way to gain sufficient, detailed information from
urban regions. These observation methods can be complemented by remote sensing
techniques used for interpolation, but even these do not allow for the appropriate
spatial and temporal resolution or a sufficiently wide range of observed variables.
Traditionally, meteorological measurements have not been taken in urban areas
but in open areas representing larger regions, as the WMO (2008) prescribed in siting
synoptic measuring stations, and as it was also presented in Chapter 5 of the UHI
Assessment Manual. However, on many occasions it is impossible or makes no sense
to conform to these guidelines. This document recommends some principles that will
help in such circumstances, even though it is not possible to anticipate all eventualities. The recommendations presented here remain in agreement with general objectives set out by the WMO (see the chapter “Exposure of instruments”). Many urban
stations have been placed over short grass in open locations (parks, playing fields),
and as a result they are actually monitoring an environment of the type modified rural.
In many respects, the generally accepted standards for the exposure of meteorological
instruments set out in WMO (2008) applies to urban sites. All details, including deviations from guidelines, should be logged thorough “metadata” (additional information about the whole network), which is essential in order to provide a data end-user
with the information required to process and use the network’s data adequately.
This paper aims to provide instruction on how to obtain integrated and harmonized
measurement data in relation to UHI phenomenon, by standardizing and unifying
urban microclimate data. Toward these ends, the following items will be discussed:
• Defining urban climate zones
• Site placement
• Network design
• Instrumentation
• Operational definition
• Reporting of data.
Complex, morphologically heterogeneous urban environments must be studied
in fine detail, so it as necessary to obtain a better understanding of weather and climate interactions and impacts in these areas. Robust planning, design, field docu2 Urban Heat Island Gold Standard and Urban Heat Island Atlas