A statistical method for quality control of routine temperature observations in developing countries

Abstract

AbstractA simple statistical method is outlined to evaluate and improve routine temperature observations from meteorological stations in developing countries. This quality control achieves two things. It identifies anomalous data before storage or use. It also reveals whether thermograph, minimum thermometer, maximum thermometer and dry bulb thermometer have to be checked and/or how their data must be improved to be internally consistent. In addition this statistical approach assesses differences between averaging methods. It can be concluded that with this cost‐efficient method, temperature data accuracy obtained will be adequate for agricultural purposes and other climatological applications.