Traceability and reliable uncertainty calculation of near-surface air temperature measurements.

Abstract:

Near-surface air temperature is one of the Essential Climate Variables defined by GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) and currently, it is the most important variable in the climatic analysis of global warming. A reliable affirmation of climate change or global warming must be based on reliable measurements which imply traceability of such measurements and a consistent uncertainty calculation. The improvement of these two aspects is covered by the European projects MeteoMet1 and its successor, MeteoMet2, within the frame of the European Metrology Research Program (EMRP). These two projects count on the participation of several European metrology and meteorology national institutes together with universities and manufacturers. They are focused on responding to the need for new stable and comparable measurement standards, protocols, sensors and calibration procedures, data-fusion and uncertainty evaluation methods, to enhance data reliability and to reduce uncertainties in climate models. This presentation describes the activities related with air temperature measurements included in both projects and the scientific achievements reached in MeteoMet1 project