Designation of Representative Instruments for Worldwide Measurement of Meteorological Parameters

Abstract

The author, as President of the World Meteorological Organization’s Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation (LIMO), discusses the role of the WMO, and particularly of LIMO, in the matter of obtaining compatible meteorological observations worldwide. Five major aspects of the problem are identified: 1) the role of “standards” in ensuring instrument compatibility; 2) the international “requirements” for data; 3) the need for standard international codes; 4) the problem of exposure of instruments; and 5) the “observer” problem, i.e., training and quality control.

The question of “designating representative instruments” is therefore dealt with in the light of the total problem, with special emphasis on the role of CIMO.