Supply and installation of automatic weather station (AWS) for climate change monitoring and free data dissemination

Cansiglio (Canséi or Canséjo in Venetian language) is a plateau in the northern-Italian Prealps, included in the provinces of Belluno, Treviso and Pordenone. Cansiglio is home to a very small Language island of Cimbrian. More information at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cansiglio

Pian Cansiglio is characterized by a specific climatology which enhances thermal inversion due to the geographical conformation of the surrounding slopes, and is home to some of the coldest karst depressions in Europe (for example the Valmenera basin has reached values close to -35 ° C in 2005, as per official monitoring campains).

At the beginning of 2019, thanks to a collaboration of many enthusiasts and volunteers, and based on previous experience, a weather-climate monitoring project was born, with the precious logistical support and the shared passion for the mountain of the managers of the "Casera" farmhouse The Routes "(which also covered the costs of purchasing a high definition panoramic webcam). To support the cost of purchasing a semi-professional station, "crowdfunding" was launched on various platforms and the huge success of the initiative allowed the coverage of material costs and the installation of the system in early May. The project is made public on the portal Webcam and weather data from Pian Cansiglio - live, totally free and independent and managed by Andrea Costantini, in a totally voluntary regime, with the support of other fans in the area. Andrea is a certified Meteorologist (as defined by document WMO 1083 - register DEKRA DTC-TMT-001-17 according to UNI CEI EN ISO / IEC 17024: 2012), he has bachelor's degree in atmospheric physics and meteorology at the University of Bologna in 2010. For about 15 years it has been managing a popular and educational website for the foothills and pre-Alpine areas, visible at www.meteoravanel.it - Local weather

TARGET FOR EXPANSION OF THE PROJECT - 2020

The expansion of the project for 2020 aims to create a new measuring station at the "Malga Filippon" farmhouse. That area is extremely interesting for monitoring as it has very different thermo-hygrometric characteristics compared to the hill where the “Casera Le Rotte” farmhouse stands and is also perennially inhabited by the Fullin family, whom we wish to thank for the kind availability and interest. demonstrated. The altimetrically lower position is in fact characterized by a marked thermal inversion, well evident especially on clear nights with snowy ground. The comparison in real time between the trend of the parameters of the two stations will therefore allow an important study on the typical phenomenon that characterizes the Cansiglio Plain and will improve its overall knowledge together with climate change considerations.

The project therefore foresees the following basic activities:

1) Purchase of precision thermo-hygrometric sensor for Davis stations with suitable solar screen (Temperature accuracy: + -0.3 ° C and humidity accuracy: + -2% over the entire operating range), installation in accordance with WMO 'Malga Filippon. The kit will be equipped with a transmitter to internal reception unit (wireless), power supply via panel and rechargeable battery.

2) Internal reception system based on console for real-time data visualization, USB data logger and Meteobridge device including data processing system and online transmission, with data transmission on the internet every 10 / 20s (depending on the internet connection).

3) Integration of data on the portal www.piancansigliometeowebcam.it to facilitate the free dissemination of data to all users also thanks to the most famous portals such as Wunderground, Meteonetwork and AWEKAS or others, as well as real-time comparison with the station's weather data existing.

4) Complete and unlimited use of data in real time, with the purpose of public information and scientific dissemination.

5) Maintaining website with domain costs and annual updates

The preparation of first equipment has been made with field installation on Sunday, 26th January. Then, after all the materials have been purchased, set up on the bench and finally tested. The progress of the project status will be announced on the project web page which will contain the station information and references to weather data, collected in accordance with WMO.

Here the installation of ISS Davis instruments

The first data coming from the station are shown here (not in real-time for the moment, during test-phase)

Thanks to anyone who wants to contribute to this "open" non-profit project.