Weather station network upgrade
The South East Natural Resources Management Board’s Automated Weather Station (AWS) Network and website has recently received an upgrade which will see improved reliability of weather data for landholders in the region.
The South East AWS network extends from Coonalpyn in the north to the SA/Victorian border and down to Piccaninnie Ponds in the south, with 20 automatic weather stations in the network.
The upgrade will improve the reliability of data provision from the network with other enhancements including displaying your home weather site, 15-minute data updates, the ability to view information by table or chart depending upon user preference, calculators for growing degree days, rainfall amount, chill portions and hours, daylight hours, and an easier to navigate website.
Natural Resources South East Senior Project Officer Daniel Newson said the new website had been strengthened to include data from a state-wide network of weather stations.
“In a region like the South East, the weather can change rapidly throughout the day, so data from the AWS network will now be received and updated every 15 minutes on the website,” Mr Newson said.
“This will be an enormous improvement for farmers monitoring Delta T, approaching rainfall, wind conditions, and fire danger indexes.”
Information and weather data on the website is available for yesterday, current day, past week, past month, and past year, as well as providing information on current warnings.
”The data from the network assists with decision making in practical applications ranging from disease monitoring and prediction of frost risk during the spring months, to the projection of irrigation requirements through the summer season,” Mr Newson said.
Selected sites in the South East NRM region also feature leaf wetness measurements to help with calculation of disease management index’s such as Downey Mildew for the grape growing industry.
Users can also choose to view the weather forecast or information that is specific to on-farm activities that they are undertaking such as spraying, seeding, harvesting and irrigation.
The new website is also mobile-friendly and will reformat to suit mobile phone and tablet screens, allowing landholders to access local weather information while on the go in the field.
The website can be accessed by via our home page or directly at www.awsnetwork.com.au.
For more information, contact the Natural Resources Centre Mount Gambier on 8735 1177 or Keith on 8755 1620