The possibility of using personal weather station networks to verify and evaluate local extreme phenomena

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting the possibility of using meteorological data from the Network of Personal Weather Stations (PWS) to monitor extreme meteorological phenomena such as heavy and torrential rain. We analyzed the density of PWS within the Weather Underground network within Gornośląsko-Zaglebiowska Metropolis. After analyzing the maximum daily precipitation totals in 2018, two out of 34 stations were selected which recorded the highest rainfall on May 11, 2018. The rainfall data recorded by the stations was compared with the rainfall data from the stations belonging to the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management of the National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB) in order to check the correctness of data provided by personal weather stations. In addition, the analysis of synoptic situation, meteorological data from IMGW-PIB stations, satellite images and meteorological radar products were used to recognize the area of high rainfall occurrence and describe general weather conditions. We found that the development of convective phenomena in the research area began around noon. From noon towards the evening, the Cumulonimbus capillatus convective clouds developed strongly and caused local storms accompanied by heavy rainfall. This event was registered by, two personal stations and one station belonging to the IMGW-PIB. All three stations recorded similar rainfall totals, and the largest precipitation was recorded at the personal station in Bedzin. It was found that data from the networks of personal stations may become an important source of information for the purpose of recording of local extreme meteorological phenomena.