How not to measure temperature, part 8
The picture below is from Radio station KQEN in Roseburg, OR. It is the official climate observing site for Roseburg. This picture is courtesy of Oregon State University Climatologist, George Taylor, whom is collaborating with me on my www.surfacestations.org project
Note that Mr. Taylor is not responsible for the thermometer placement, the National Weather Service in Medford is in charge of the observer program. and sets up the equipment. Only a couple of problems here, like the roof itself being hotter than any surrounding area on any given day, but lets just throw in a nearby rooftop air conditioning unit for good measure. A/C units exhaust quite a bit of hot air.
Here's the temperature plot from NASA's GISS database, which is used in global climate modeling and climate forecasting. Yes, this data is part of the USHCN "high quality" dataset used to make climate change predictions.
I'm not making this up, check it out for yourself at NASA's GISTEMP database
Comments
It makes me want to scream. Thank goodness for the even tempered, reasoned, and analytical effort Anthony. If reasonable, capable, and dedicated, folks like you keep this up you will raise the bar in climate science.
Posted by: David Walton | June 11, 2007 09:18 PM
Reminds me of the old George Carlin joke about why do the weathermen give the temperature at the airport, when nobody lives there.
At my house, which has the normal amount of concrete, gravel, and landscaping, I usually get a reading of about 5 degrees higher in summer than the official city temperature.
So what is the definition of the city temperature? Is it the temp out on some grassy field? or the urban temp where most of us live?
Posted by: Jim | June 13, 2007 04:36 PM
Measuring tempos ON A ROOF????
Geeze. Down here in the south a roof can get 140 degrees.
Amazing.
Posted by: Paul | June 18, 2007 12:19 PM