Halley Metadata

Data for standard meteorology in black

Data for upper air in red

Position: Lat. 75°35'S, Long. 26°34'W (2001 Halley V).
(Known as Halley Bay until 15 Aug 1977).
Brunt Ice Shelf, Caird Coast.

1956 (IGY) Lat. 75°31'S, Long. 26°36'W
1957 (IGY) Lat. 75°30'S, Long. 26°36'W
1967 (Z II) Lat. 75°31'S, Long. 26°39'W
1973 (Z III) Lat. 75°31'S, Long. 26°43'W
1983 (Z IV) Lat. 75°36'S, Long. 26°40'W
1989 (Z IV) Lat. 75°36'S, Long. 26°46'W
1988 (Z V) Lat. 75°35'S, Long. 26°14'W
1992 (Z V) Lat. 75°35'S, Long. 26°19'W
1998 (ZV) Lat. 75°35'S, Long. 26°30'W

October aneroid 0.3mb higher than barometer Upper air flights;Sondes series B and C in use. These sondes have far larger correction factors than the sondes used in previous years. List of Instruments used 1968; In 1968 the department was transferred to the new base.
1956
1956
List of Instruments used 1956;
  • Pressure
    • Installed 6th Feb Feuss Aneroid Barometer
    • Installed 1st Mar Marine mercury barometer
    • Installed 3rd Mar barograph
  • Temperature
    • Installed 6th Feb Assman Psychrometer (dry bulb only)
    • Installed 3rd Mar thermograph
    • Installed 11th Mar Wet bulb/ice bulb
  • Humididty
    • Installed 3rd Mar Hair Hygrograph
  • Wind Measurements
    • Installed 6th Feb Hand anemometer
    • Installed 6th Feb Compass
    • Installed 12th to 17th April Anemometer cup geny mk 1B
    • Installed 12th to 17th April Wind vane
      REPLACED in December by MS 33 Batch 5511/29
  • Sunshine
    • Installed 23rd to 24th August Total radiation solarimeter no. 644
    • Installed 23rd to 24th August Diffuse radiation solarimeter no. 616
    • Installed 23rd to 24th August Campbell Stokes sunshine recorders
For the first two months the aneroid barometer was used. This was twice checked against a hypsometer. The marine barometer was brought into use at the beginning of March but the Gold Scale wasn't used. A correction table was contructed in the form normally used at stations 500ft above MSL. (completed 20th May). Later more usual condensed correction card for stations below 500ft was brought into use (22nd August). The values to -80F were calculated independently assuming the atmosphere to be isothermal.

Later comparison has shown that the minimum thermometers were reading between 2F and 2.6F lower than the ordinary dry bulb thermometer in the screen.

19566th February
Installed 6th Feb Feuss Aneroid Barometer
Installed 6th Feb Assman Psychrometer (dry bulb only)
Installed 6th Feb Hand anemometer
Installed 6th Feb Compass
195627th February
Stevensons screen erected.
19561st March
Installed 1st March Marine mercury barometer
19563rd March
Installed barograph, thermograph and hygrograph. (All three suffered until clocks overhaul in June when continous records were possible.)
195611th March
Wet bulb / Ice bulb readings commenced
1956March 31st to April 11th
A 40ft anemometer tower was constructed.
195612th to 17th April
Installed 12th to 17th April Anemometer cup geny mk 1B
Installed 12th to 17th April Wind vane
195618th April
Height above sea level of the hut floor: 95 +/- 3 feet
Height above sea level of the barometer cistern: 98 +/- 3 feet
19569th July
First pilot balloon ascent
195623rd to 24th August
Installed 23rd to 24th August Total radiation solarimeter
Installed 23rd to 24th August Diffuse radiation solarimeter
Installed 23rd to 24th August sunshine recorders
1956September
All four maxiumum thermometers had been broken by the beginning of September and from then on the thermograph was used to obtain the maximum.
1956December
Wind vane REPLACED in December by MS 33 Batch 5511/29
1957
1958
1959
List of Instruments used 1959;
  • Pressure
    • Marine mercury barometer
    • barograph
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer
    • Aspirated dynalog recorder
    • Screen thermometer
  • Humididty
    • Ventilated thermocouple pyschrometer
    • Phosphorous pentoxide electrolytic hygrometer (trial)
    • Hair hygrograph
  • Wind Measurements
    • anemometer on East met tower
    • anemometer on West met tower
    • wind vane
    • Wind direction recorder Same equipment as 1958
  • Sunshine
    • Solarimeter
The 1958 sub-standard solarimeter No. 749 was returned to UK. but was damaged in transit. No. 644 was brought back into use as 1959 sub-standard. Intercomparisons were made on arrival with the recording solarimeter.
Spare solarimeter no. 1008 was compared to new substandard in lab.

Upper air flights:same sondes as in 1958

1959December
Height of anemometer decreased from 26 feet to 21 feet over the year and then restored to 34 feet in December.
1960
List of Instruments used 1960;
  • Pressure
    • Marine mercury barometer
    • barograph
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only)
    • Aspirated dynalog recorder
    • Screen thermometer (checks only)
    • Screen max and min (checks only)
    • Assman ice bulb (checks only)
    • Thermograph
    • Thermopile
  • Humididty
    • Ventilated thermocouple pyschrometer
    • Hair hygrograph
  • Wind Measurements
    • anemometer on East met tower
    • anemometer on West met tower
    • wind vane
    • Wind direction recorder Same equipment as 1958
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.

Upper air flights: Sondes from last years stock.

1960February
8th - height of barometer reservoir above sea level was 81ft.
19611st Jan
Solarimeter No. 520 replaced No. 1028 for Total Radiation and No. 1008 replaced No. 516 for Diffuse. 1028 and 516 were sent to the UK.
1961January
Two Kew Fluxplate radiometers nos. VB10 and VB 11 arrived. Fluxplate 21 sent to UK. On 31st Jan VB11 ttok over recording. VB10 remains as standard.
1961April
Net Flux recorder developed a fault which proved difficult to locate, so it was decided to replace the recorder C444885 with C639112. However replacement wasn't working - suspension was replaced - and recorder used for rest of year.
19613rd May
Radiation platform v. low and instruments obstructed by new hut. When sun returns instruments re-sited on new hut.
1961August
Solarimeter 1008 damaged and fixed using spare thermopiles.
196123rd August to 16th October
Radiation Total and Diffuse circuit resistances were decreased to half of normal value; ie. twice radiation sensitivity. Normal resistance was restored when chart deflection at midday was full scale.
1961September
Cable supplying mains to fluxplate blower replaced by line carried on stakes from stabilised supply on the Met. Tower.
1962
List of Instruments used 1962;
  • Pressure
    • Kew pattern barometer
    • barograph
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only)
    • Aspirated dynalog recorder
    • Screen thermometer (checks only)
    • Screen max and min (checks only)
    • Assman ice bulb (checks only)
    • Thermograph
    • Thermopile
    • Foxborough dynalog
  • Humididty
    • Ventilated thermocouple pyschrometer
    • Hair hygrograph
  • Wind Measurements
    • anemometer on East met tower
    • anemometer on West met tower
    • wind vane
    • Wind direction recorder
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.

1962September
The anemometer was replaced in September owing to an intermittent fault. A week later the new anemometer froze up - the old anemometer was put back and worked fine ever since.
1963
List of Instruments used 1963;
  • Pressure
    • Two Kew pattern barometer (on base since 1956 according to '63 report)
    • open scale marine barograph
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only)
    • Aspirated dynalog recorder
    • Screen thermometer (checks only)
    • Screen max and min (checks only)
    • Assman ice bulb (checks only)
    • Thermograph
    • Thermopile
    • Foxborough dynalog
  • Humididty
    • Ventilated thermocouple pyschrometer
    • Hair hygrograph
  • Wind Measurements
    • anemometer on East met tower
    • anemometer on West met tower
    • wind vane
    • Wind direction recorder
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.

1964
List of Instruments used 1964;
  • Pressure
    • 2 marine barometers
    • open scale marine barograph
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only)
    • Foxboro dynalog
    • Thermocouples for subsurface.
  • Humididty
    • Ventilated thermocouple pyschrometer REPLACED in May by electric assman
    • Hair hygrograph
  • Wind Measurements
    • anemometer on East met tower
    • anemometer on West met tower
    • wind vane
    • Wind direction recorder
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.

New cintel calibrated sondes.

1964May
Ventilated thermocouple pyschrometer REPLACED in May by electric assman
1964September
Height of barometer changed on 6th September from 91ft to 104ft. At the same time the two barometers were mounted together for the first time.
1965
List of Instruments used 1965;
  • Pressure
    • 2 marine barometers 1. REPLACED in Feb by precision aneroid Mk1 2. Broken
    • open scale marine barograph
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only)
    • Foxboro dynalog
    • Thermocouples for subsurface.
    • Bimetallic thermograph
  • Humididty
    • Ventilated thermocouple pyschrometer REPLACED in May by electric assman
    • Hair hygrograph
  • Wind Measurements
    • anemometer on East met tower
    • anemometer on West met tower
    • wind vane
    • Wind direction recorder
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.

1966
List of Instruments used 1966;
  • Pressure
    • Precision aneroid Mk1
    • open scale marine barograph
    • Standard marine barometer
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only) at 4ft
    • Foxboro dynalog at 4ft and 35ft, snow temp -4ft
    • Bimetallic thermograph
  • Humidity
    • aspirated thermometers
    • Hair hygrograph
  • Wind Measurements
    • anemometer on East met tower
    • anemometer on West met tower
    • wind vane
    • Munro Wind direction recorder
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.

1966June
Before June 1st height of MSL pressure coorected from barometer using height 104 feet, after June 1st 95 feet.
1967
List of Instruments used 1967;
  • Pressure
    • Precision aneroid Mk1
    • open scale marine barograph
    • Kew Pattern Standard marine barometer
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only) at 4ft
    • Foxboro dynalog at 4ft and 35ft, snow temp -4ft
    • Bimetallic thermograph
  • Humididty
    • aspirated thermometers Dry and Ice
    • Hair hygrograph unresponsive and no clock.
  • Wind Measurements
    • anemometer
    • wind vane
    • Munro Wind direction recorder
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.

Problem with shortage of thermometers for the Assman Psychrometer: Early on in year two mercury thermometers were used, but as these are only calibrated down to minus 35C it was necessary to replace them during colder months with CASSELA Alcohol ones.

1968
1969
List of Instruments used 1969;
  • Pressure
    • Precision aneroid Mk1
    • open scale marine barograph
    • Kew Pattern Standard marine barometer
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only) at 4ft
    • Foxboro dynalog at 4ft and 35ft, snow temp -4ft
    • Bimetallic thermograph
    • Mercury Thallium Assman thermometers
  • Humidity
    • aspirated thermometers Dry and Ice
    • Hair hygrograph unresponsive and no clock.
  • Wind Measurements
    • 30v generator
    • magslip wind vane
    • Munro Wind direction recorder
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.
    • Solarimeters
Upper air flights;Sondes series C and D in use. New transistorised Mk 3 sondes arrived at end on 1969.
1969January
The station height was 27.6 - new QFF tables brought into use on Feb 18th.
1969June
26th of June The anemometer head was removed from the tower and brought in for a defrost and repacked with silicon grease.
Complete overhaul of generator magslip and all mast wiring.
196920th October
20ft was added to height of the anemometer. A 10 percent correction was applied to the wind speed.
1970
List of Instruments used 1970;
  • Pressure
    • Precision aneroid Mk1
    • open scale marine barograph
    • Kew Pattern Standard marine barometer
  • Temperature
    • Assman Psychrometer (dry only) at 4ft
    • Foxboro dynalog at 4ft and 35ft, snow temp -4ft
    • Bimetallic thermograph
    • Mercury Thallium Assman thermometers
  • Humidity
    • aspirated thermometers Dry and Ice
  • Wind Measurements
    • 30v generator
    • magslip wind vane
    • Munro Wind direction recorder
  • Sunshine
    • Two Campbell Stokes recorders.
    • Solarimeters
Upper air flights: Both D and E series cans flown with D being used in winter months.
197029th Jan
Levelling traverse produced a base height of 26.05m
197020th July
The 10 percent correction was applied to the wind speed on October 20th 1969 was discontinued because accumulation had put the effective height of the tower at 40 feet.
1971
Instruments used in 1971:
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid barometer no. 817/65
    • Marine barometer 3037/40/53
    • Barograph
  • Temperature
    • Dry bulb no. 263 BST 68
    • Wet bulb 154 no. 67
    • Assman wet bulb no. 260
    • Bi-metal thermograph.
    • Foxboro Dynalog
  • Humididty
    • Hair hygrograph
  • Wind measurements
    • Anemometer 1800/2837
  • Sunshine
1971
Upper air flights; Introduction of M60 Grau Sonde. Pilot balloons used.
197123rd April
Extrapolated height of 24m A.M.S.L for barometer
1971December
Correction made to Precision Aneroid -0.3
1972
Instruments used in 1972:
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid barometer Mk1 MR 20000 no. 817/65 (Mechanism Ltd)
    • Marine barometer 3037/40/53 (J. Hicks) complete with Gold slide Mk IV no. 332/28 MO /35/53/38/43
    • Barograph Mk I (Short and Mason) No. 5271/56 MR 966
  • Temperature
    • Dry bulb Mercury Thallium Solid stem no. 263 BST 68
      REPLACED by Dry bulb no. 159 for 1972
      REPLACED around October by Mercury Thallium Solid stem no. 262
    • Wet bulb 154 no. 67
      REPLACED by no. 160 for 1972
      REPLACED around October by Mercury Thallium Solid stem no. 261
    • Assman wet bulb no. Mercury Thallium Solid stem 260
    • Assman dry bulb no. Mercury Thallium Solid stem 263
    • Maximum Mercury (Casella) no. 26856/64
      REPLACED around October by no. 11729/67
    • Mimimum Spirit (Casella) no. 37904/61 REPLACED around April by no. 12109/71
      REPLACED around July by no. 12109/67
    • Thermographs
      Mk III (Short and Mason MO.) serial no. 2739/62 MR 1123
      New Mk III (Wilson, Worden and Co.) No. 2504/61 MR 1123
    • Dynalog Foxbere model 9135A instrument no E83777
  • Humididty
    • Hair hygrograph; (F. Darton & co) MO 2119/70 MR 532
  • Wind measurements
    • Anemometer cup generator Mk 2 MR 992 no. 8753 (Munro)
    • Wind vane Mk. IIIb (magslip) MR 1482 No. 932 (Munro)
    • Dial, windspeed MR 996 no. 4788/42
    • Dials direction indicating for IIIb no. 1720
    • Recorder duplex windseep and direction EE/Munro No. 861731 MO 11/55 with clock 220v/50cs No. 5076 Type E1
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell Stokes Mk II MR 90 (Casella) MO 436/52 and MO 418/62 with spheres; MO 1022/46, MO 1825/55 and MO 1686/52
    • Fuess recorder (used for spring equinoctial period)B 3847
1972January
Extrapolated height of 23.5m A.M.S.L for barometer.

The Stevensons screen was modified. The two side boards at the bottom of the screen were removed and replaced by angled aluminium shields, painted white.

1972December
Anemometer tower was raised 10 feet on the 19th to give actual height 48 feet. The effective height was estimated as being belo 42 feet so no correction was applied. The anemometer / wind vane was regreased and oiled.
1973
Instruments used in 1973:
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid barometer Mk1 MR 20000 no. 817/65 (Mechanism Ltd)
    • Marine barometer 3037/40/53 (J. Hicks) complete with Gold slide Mk IV no. 332/28 MO /35/53/38/43
    • Barograph Mk I (Short and Mason) No. 5271/56 MR 966
  • Temperature
    • Dry bulb Mercury Thallium Solid stem no. 262
    • Wet bulb Mercury Thallium Solid stem no. 261 and 160
    • Assman wet bulb no. Mercury Thallium Solid stem 260
    • Assman dry bulb no. Mercury Thallium Solid stem 263
    • Maximum Mercury (Casella) no. 11729/67
    • Mimimum Spirit (Casella) no. 12109/67
      REPLACED around April by 88306/72
    • Thermographs
      New Mk III (Wilson, Worden and Co.) No. 2504/61 MR 1123
    • Dynalog Foxbere model 9135A instrument no E83777
  • Humididty
    • Hygrographs; (F. Darton & co) MO 2119/70 MR 532 (Negretti & Zambra) R42026
    • New Hygrograph received relief 1973 with vertically mounted hair.
  • Wind measurements
    • Anemometer cup generator Mk 2 MR 992 no. 8753 (Munro)
    • Wind vane Mk. IIIb (magslip) MR 1482 No. 932 (Munro)
    • Dial, windspeed MR 996 no. 4788/42
    • Dials direction indicating for IIIb no. 1720
    • Recorder duplex windseep and direction EE/Munro No. 861731 MO 11/55 with clock 220v/50cs No. 5076 Type E1
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell Stokes Mk II MR 90 (Casella) MO 436/52 and MO 418/62 with spheres; MO 1022/46, MO 1825/55 and MO 1686/52
    • Fuess recorder (used for spring equinoctial period)B 3847
Move to new base site in latter half of year with synoptic activities staring on new base Jan 1st 1974. For part of 1973 comparisons were made of temperatures between both bases. At the start of 1974 comparisons were made of other variables.
19731st May
Precision Aneroid: Corrections for the year have been based on the levelling traverse of 13th January. Noew corrections were introduced 1st May for QFE. Previous to this the QFE was incorrectly considered to be cistern level. Cistern level was 22m and screen level was 30m AMSL.
1974
Instruments used in 1974:
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid barometer Mk1 MR 20000 no. 817/65 (Mechanism Ltd)
    • Marine barometer 3037/40/53 (J. Hicks) complete with Gold slide Mk IV no. 332/28 MO /35/53/38/43
    • Barograph Mk I (Short and Mason) No. 5271/56 MR 966
  • Temperature
    • Dry bulb Mercury Thallium no. 262 BST 68
      REPLACED by Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 153 NPL67 for 1974
    • Wet bulb no. 261 REPLACED by unnumbered for 1974
    • Assman wet bulb no. 260 REPLACED by no. 77098 for 1974
    • Assman dry bulb no. 263 REPALACED by no. 8753 for 1974 (in some records 58497)
    • Maximum no. 11729/67 REPLACED by no. 88313 for 1974
    • Minimum no. 88306/72 REPLACED by 88304 for 1974
    • Thermograph Mk3 (Wilson, Worden and Co) No 2504/61 MR 1123
    • Dynalog Foxboro 9135A instrument no. E83777
  • Humidity Hygrograph (Negretti and Zambra) no. R42026
  • Wind measurements
    • Anemometer cup generator Mk 2 MR 992 no. 8753 (Munro)
    • Wind vane Mk. IIIb (magslip) MR 1482 No. 932 (Munro)
    • Dial, windspeed MR 996 no. 4788/42
    • Dials direction indicating for IIIb no. 1720
    • Recorder duplex windseep and direction EE/Munro No. 861731 MO 11/55 with clock 220v/50cs No. 5076 Type E1
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell Stokes Mk II MR 90 (Casella) MO 436/52 and MO 418/62 with spheres; MO 1022/46, MO 1825/55 and MO 1686/52
    • Fuess recorder (used for spring equinoctial period)B 3847
The main wind direction developed a fault at the end of winter when the dial and chart indicated a direction different to that which the vane indicated. The receiving synchros could be adjusted to read correctly but during changes in direction they would again indicate either 180 or 90 degrees from the true direction. Graw and Viz sondes in use.
1975
Instruments used in 1975:
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid barometer Mk1 MR 20000 no. 817/65 (Mechanism Ltd)
    • Marine barometer 3037/40/53 (J. Hicks) complete with Gold slide Mk IV no. 332/28 MO /35/53/38/43
    • Barograph Mk I (Short and Mason) No. 5271/56 MR 966
  • Temperature
    • Dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 153 NPL67
    • Wet bulb Mercury Thallium unnumbered
    • Station standard Mercury to -20 only, 130 NPL67
    • Assman wet bulb no. 77098 REPLACED by unnumbered Mercury Thallium for 1975
    • Assman dry bulb no. 8753 (in some records 58497) REPLACED by 260 BST 68 for 1975
    • Maximum no. 88313/72 (Casella)
    • Minimum no. 88304 BST 72 REPLACED by spirit 87899/73 for 1975
    • Thermograph Mk3 (Wilson, Worden and Co) No 2504/61 MR 1123 REPLACED in October by new Thermograph
    • Dynalog Foxboro 9135A instrument no. E83777
  • Humidity Hygrograph (Negretti and Zambra) no. R42026 REPLACED after winter by Darton standard hygrometer.
  • Wind measurements
    • Anemometer cup generator Mk 2 MR 992 no. 8753 (Munro)
    • Wind vane Mk. IIIb (magslip) MR 1482 No. 932 (Munro)
    • Dial, windspeed MR 996 no. 4788/42
    • Dials direction indicating for IIIb no. 1720
    • Recorder duplex windseep and direction EE/Munro No. 861731 MO 11/55 with clock 220v/50cs No. 5076 Type E1
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell Stokes Mk II MR 90 (Casella) MO 436/52 and MO 418/62 with spheres; MO 1022/46, MO 1825/55 and MO 1686/52
    • Fuess recorder (used for spring equinoctial period)B 3847
The sunshine records this year have been improved on the previous year when the recorders were neither levelled, orientated for azimuth nor in line with eachother.

Considerable re-wiring and face-lifts were done to the office and some equipment. Upper air flights: New Sonde equipment; balloon shed, hydrogen generator and sonde system.

1975March
Upper air flights: The new sondes "Viz" were introduced to replace the old sondes "Graw". (I think Graw and Grau are same thing - AG 2001)
1975October
Thermograph Mk3 (Wilson, Worden and Co) No 2504/61 MR 1123 REPLACED in October by new Thermograph
1975December
Attempted to calibrate the 6 sensors for dynalog. Failed so the first part of 1976 the only only trace of any use is that at screen level.
1976
New second-hand (ex-firbush) Kew barometer to replace one broken last year (1975). Also received an old Furbush recorder for use with MkIB cup generator - this was faulty and reliable readings began in November.
List of instruments held in 1976;
  • Pressure
    • Kew Barometer Mk2 Met ref. 1543 (Negretti&Zambra) no. 1927/38/40/55/63/68
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 s/n 817/65 (Mechanism Ltd)
    • Marine barograph Mk1 Ref 966, 5271/56.
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 153 NPL67
    • Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 601128 (Brannan)
    • Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 260
    • Assman ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. BST 68
    • Screen Maximum; in use until 23/11/76 no. 88313/72 (Cassella)
      In use after 23/11/76 no. 21103 (Zeal)
    • Screen minimum; in use until 30/10/76 no. 87899/72 (Casella)
      In use after 30/10/76 no. 12109/67 (Casella)
    • Thermograph Mk3 Met ref 1123 Serial/n 1884/55
    • Dynalog Multichannel Temperature recorder.
  • Humidity
    • Hygrograph No. 2119/70 (Darton)
  • Wind measurement
    • Station Anemometer Mk 2 cup genny with Mk 3B magslip transmitter Duplex recorder no. 8617311 (Everett). Direction dial no 2176 (munro). Mk2 speed dial No. 11533/131.
    • Middle level anemometer Mk 1B cup genny with recorder no. 889734. No dial in use. The recorder was completely overhauled this year.
    • Low level anemometer. Mk 4A cup genny with recorder 901890. Mk 2 dial No. 4788/41.
    • Hand anemometer. No. 381 (Munro) - returned to UK for repair end of 1976 season.
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell-Stokes Recorders Nos. 436/52 and 418/52. Spheres nos. 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52, 1825/55.
    • Fuess recorder No. B3847.

    Upper air flights: performance of 1975 batch of sondes deteriorated throughout year - with increasing proportion of "repaired" sondes. Last three months of 1976 - the new sondes were used with more success. The radar was out of action between March 14th and November 1st - theodolite follows were attempted instead.

19768th to 9th January
Cable run fault due to mis-wiring.
1976January 25th to June 30th
Upper air flights: Alternating full temps and pilots flown.
19762nd February
Noticed that wind vane was approx. 60 degrees out from true direction. This was due to a pin in the "in-line" assembly working loose. New pin installed 19th Feb.
197626th to 27th February
Cable run replaced with 2 lengths of 7 core cable.
1976March
Discovered that correction card in use last year to convert QFE to MSL was using 283K instead of 273K. This is corrected and height of base above MSL is 30m.
Also correction card to convert Cistern level pressure to QFE had remained unchanged for over a year even though the base had been buried quite rapidly. New cards were introduced all year to compensate for burying.
The first barometer comparison carried out this year showed the Precision Aneroid to be reading correct to within 0.1mbs, so the index error of -0.3mbs mentioned in 1965 and 1971 was ignored.
The modification of the two correction cards meant that the pressure values reported at the obs for the first three months was incorrect by 0.1msb for MSL. The register has been ammended and the CLIMATs recalculated. The Basyns are not corrected.
The Met screen was raised.
1976April
The met screen was raised.
The low level anemometer was raised.
1976May
Ran out of thermograph charts and used Hygrograms with the thermograph set to the widest temperature span.
1976July
Alternative method of calibrating dynalog was tried.
The Met screen was raised.
1976July 1st to August 31st
Upper air flights: Full temps on three days with a pilot on the fourth.
1976September
The met screen was raised.
The low level anemometer was raised.

Upper air flights: Full flights from 1st September until end of year.

197615th September
Aneroid barometer adjusted to agree with Kew barometer
1976October
The met screen was raised
197630th October
Screen minimum; in use until 30/10/76 no. 87899/72 (Casella)
In use after 30/10/76 no. 12109/67 (Casella)
197623rd November
Screen Maximum; in use until 23/11/76 no. 88313/72 (Cassella)
In use after 23/11/76 no. 21103 (Zeal)
1977
Wind; During light and variable winds the direction recorder may fail to reset and will start reading out by 90 degrees. (Errors were noted on chart).
Received a new centering guage to work with Sunshine recorder.
Instruments in use in 1977;
  • Pressure
    • Kew Barometer Mk2 Met ref. 1543 (Negretti&Zambra) no. 1927/38/40/55/63/68
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 s/n 817/65 (Mechanism Ltd)
    • Marine barograph Mk1 Ref 966, 5271/56.
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 153 NPL67
      REPLACED 1st May by Mercury Thallium no.381 (Zeal)
    • Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 601128 (Brannan)
      REPLACED 1st May by Mercury Thallium (Zeal) no. 376
    • Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 260
    • Assman ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. BST 68
    • Screen Maximum; 21103 (zeal) was replaced on 30/6/77 by 6057 (Casella) which was replaced late August by 26861/64 (Zeal).
      REPLACED Dec 1977 by Mercury in glass KEY 4211
    • Screen minimum; in use until 27/2/77 no. 12109/67 (Casella)
      Replaced by no. 37904/61 until 30/3/77
      Replaced by no. 88304/74 until 3/6/77
      Replaced by 12103/67
    • Thermograph Mk3 Met ref 1123 Serial/n 1884/55
    • Dynalog Multichannel Temperature recorder.
  • Humidity
    • Hygrograph No. 2119/70 (Darton)
  • Wind measurement
    • Station Anemometer (10 meters) Mk 2 cup genny with Mk 3B magslip transmitter Duplex recorder no. 8617311 (Everett). Direction dial no 2176 (munro). Mk2 speed dial No. 11533/131.
    • VLF mast (21m) mk.4a cup genny with speed dial no. 4788/42.
    • Middle level anemometer (4.5m) Mk 1B cup genny with recorder no. 889734. No dial in use. The recorder was completely overhauled this year.
    • Low level anemometer. Mk 4A cup genny with recorder 901890. Mk 2 dial No. 4788/41.
    • Hand anemometer. New no. 987-75 ref. 1096. Arrived relief 76/77.
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell-Stokes Recorders Nos. 436/52 and 418/52. Spheres nos. 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52, 1825/55.

      Upper air flights: There were several periods with the radar out of action. At the beginning of the year the range unit seemed accurate enough to allow radar ehight computations. As the year progressed the 10km range scales differed considerably in relation to eachother at the change over points. This lead to a lack of confidence in the range data and the termination of radar comps in the latter part of the year.

1977January
Upper air flights: From start of year to the 8th of February was the procedure; sonde-pilot-sondes-pilot-no flight every 5 days.
1977February
Screen and Assman raised.
19779th February
Upper air flights: From 9th February to August was the procedure; sonde-pilot-no flight. After August were further cuts.
197727th February
Screen minimum; in use until 27/2/77 no. 12109/67 (Casella) Replaced by no. 37904/61
1977March
Low anemometer raised. Intermediate anemometer raised.
197719th March
The hairs on the Hygrograph were renewed and it was calibrated.
197730th March
Screen minimum; in use until 30/3/77 no. 37904/61 Replaced by no. 88304/74
1977May
The spare anemometer was placed at 21.3m up the VLF mast. From that time on each synoptic ob, readings have been taken every 10 secs for 3 minutes as no recorder was available. Due to its height there it was harder to knock rime off. In periods where this may have affected readings - the readings weren't kept.
Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 153 NPL67
REPLACED 1st May by Mercury Thallium no.381 (Zeal)
Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 601128 (Brannan)- REPLACED 1st May by Mercury Thallium (Zeal) no. 376
1977June
Screen and Assman raised.
19773rd June
Screen minimum; in use until 3/6/77 no. 88304/74 Replaced by 12103/67
1977 30th June
Screen Maximum; 21103 (zeal) was replaced on 30/6/77 by 6057 (Casella)
1977August
The mid-level anemometer had been experiencing the trace jumping about because the spindle had too much play. The spindle was soft soldered into place. Also to increase the degree of adjustment available an 800 ohm resistor in parallel with the coil was removed and the 1K span pot replaced by one of 10K.
Two of the clocks in the thermograph were stripped, cleaned and lubricated.
Screen Maximum; 6057 (Casella) was replaced August by 26861/64 (Zeal).
19773rd August
The anemometers were compared against hand held no. 9877S. All agreed to within 0.5 knots.
197725th August
After repairs to the mid-level anemometer recorder a calibration of anemometer was carried out. A check was made as to the sensitivity of the various recorders and anemometer heads. All three recorders showed the low level head to have a greater senstivity to changes in wind speed. This results in its trace being visibly wider than the others and giving a false impression of increased gustiness.
1977November
Low anemometer raised.
1977December
Screen maximum; Hg in glass 26861/64
REPLACED Dec 1977 by Mercury in glass KEY 4211
1978
Thermograph didn't work below -40 degrees.
An AWS also ran on base this year but not for standard meteorological data - just as an experiment.
Instruments in use in 1978;
  • Pressure
    • Kew Barometer Mk2 Met ref. 1543 (Negretti&Zambra) no. 1927/38/40/55/63/68
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 s/n 817/65 (Mechanism Ltd) used until Febraury 1978.
      Precision Aneroid Mk1 no. 712 used after February 1978.
    • Marine barograph Mk1 Ref 966, 5271/56.
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no.381 (Zeal)
      REPLACED September by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 372
    • Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 376 (Zeal)
    • Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 260 (Zeal)
      REPLACED June by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No.377 (Zeal)
      REPLACED July by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No.378 (Zeal)
    • Assman ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. BST 68 REPLACED AT SOME UNKNOWN POINT by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 374
      REPLACED February by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 373
    • Screen Maximum; Mercury in glass KEY 4211
      REPLACED Mar by TGS 9323
    • Screen minimum; 12103/67
      (Casella) spirit in glass
    • Thermograph Mk3 Met ref 1123 Serial/n 1884/55
    • Dynalog Multichannel Temperature recorder.
  • Humidity
    • Hygrograph No. 2119/70 (Darton)
  • Wind measurement
    • Station Anemometer (10 meters) Mk 2 cup genny with Mk 3B magslip transmitter Duplex recorder no. 8617311 (Everett). Direction dial no 2176 (munro). Mk2 speed dial No. 11533/131.
    • VLF mast (19m) mk.4a cup genny with speed dial no. 4788/42.
    • Middle level anemometer (5m) Mk 1B cup genny with recorder no. 889734. No dial in use. The recorder was completely overhauled this year.
    • Low level / screen anemometer. (1.5m) Mk 4A cup genny with recorder 901890. Mk 2 dial No. 4788/41.
    • Hand anemometer. New no. 987-75 ref. 1096.
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell-Stokes Recorders Nos. 436/52 and 418/52. Spheres nos. 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52, 1825/55.

      Upper air flights; At the beginning of the year the team were encouraged to be mreo liberal in smoothing the wind trace to improve choice of wind levels. They also made the decision to take the standard level winds directly from the two minute interval speed/time and direction/time curves instead of from the wind plot. In very high winds the sonde was attached to the balloon with a few centimeters of string. Foil reflectors rather than mesh reflectors were introduced into the sondes.

1978February
Precision Aneroid Mk1 s/n 817/65 (Mechanism Ltd) used until Febraury 1978.
Precision Aneroid Mk1 no. 712 used after February 1978.
Assman ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. BST 68
REPLACED AT SOME UNKNOWN POINT by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 374
REPLACED FEBRUARY by by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 373
1978March
After comaparison with the hand standard it was found that since the beginning of the year the speed trace on the Standard Level anemometer was reading 10 percent too low. Because the range pot was at the end of its adjustment the substitutional parallel resistance was removed. A second comparison gave agreement to 0.5 knots.
Screen Maximum; Mercury in glass KEY 4211
REPLACED Mar by TGS 9323
1978April
An electronic switch was construced to enable both the screen level and VLF anemometer speeds to be recorded alternately on the one chart recorder.
1978May
A small light was put in the Stevensons Screen to assist reading thermometers at night.
1978June
Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 260 (Zeal)
REPLACED JUNE by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No.377 (Zeal)
1978July
The cable to the met office went open circuit and a new line had to be laid.
Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No.377 (Zeal)
REPLACED JULY by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No.378 (Zeal)
1978September
Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no.381 (Zeal)
REPLACED September by Mercury Thallium, solid stem.1978 no. 372
1978Mid October
Dynalog programme temporarily suspended when raising the main anemometer mast. Mast raised 10 ft.
1978Late November
The magslip transmitter (E-1-G/1) in the wind vane because faulty and had to be replaced by a similar type from our spare Mk 1B wind vane.
December
Hygrograph calibrated before being returned to the screen.
1979
Instruments in use in 1979;
  • Pressure
    • Kew Barometer Mk2 Met ref. 1543 (Negretti&Zambra) no. 1927/38/40/55/63/68
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 no. 712 used after February 1978.
    • Marine barograph Mk1 Ref 966, 5271/56.
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no.372 (Zeal)
      REPLACED April by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 377 REPLACED October by HG/TH TGT 3538 with no correction at -10
    • Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 376 (Zeal)
    • Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 378 (Zeal)
    • Assman ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 373 REPLACED December by TGT 3530 (Zeal)
    • Screen Maximum; TGS 9323
      REPLACED July by TGS 9327
    • Screen minimum; 12103/67
      (Casella) spirit in glass
    • Thermograph Mk3 Met ref 1123 Serial/n 1884/55
    • Dynalog Multichannel Temperature recorder.
  • Humidity
    • Hygrograph No. 2119/70 (Darton)
  • Wind measurement
    • Station Anemometer (10 meters) Mk 2 cup genny with Mk 3B magslip transmitter Duplex recorder no. 8617311 (Everett). Direction dial no 2176 (munro). Mk2 speed dial No. 11533/131.
    • VLF mast (18m) mk.4a cup genny with speed dial no. 4788/42.
    • Middle level anemometer (5m) Mk 1B cup genny with recorder no. 889734. No dial in use. The recorder was completely overhauled this year.
    • Low level / screen anemometer. (1.5m) Mk 4A cup genny with recorder 901890. Mk 2 dial No. 4788/41.
    • Hand anemometer. New no. 987-75 ref. 1096.
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell-Stokes Recorders Nos. 436/52 and 418/52. Spheres nos. 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52, 1825/55.
  • AWS
Computation of flights included greater smoothing of wind procedure and taking standard wind levels.
1979March
Screen Maximum; TGS 9323
REPLACED July by TGS 9327
1979April
10m standard anemometer: a cable joint on the mast broke.
Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no.372 (Zeal)
REPLACED April by Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 377
1979May
10m standard anemometer:completely refurbished.
5m mid-level anemometer: completely refurbished.
The electronic switch which enabled screen level and VLF anemometer outputs to be alternately displayed on the one chart recorder failed.
1979 End of June
Upper air flights: From end of June to 4th August the radar range was not properly calibrated and sonde heights were used to calculate flat ranges.
1979September
VLF anemometer (18m) removed.
The hand standard anemometer was damaged so a comparison was made of the "Short and Mason" run of wind Airmeter against the standard, mid and screen level anemometers. All within 0.5 knots.
1979October
In the calibration of the Kew barometer against Aneroid it was found that the Kew was -0.16mb and it was adjusted to reduce the error.
Screen dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no.377 (Zeal)
REPLACED October by HG/TH TGT 3538 with no correction at -10
1979November
Hygrograph calibrated and returned to screen.
1979December
Assman ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 373
REPLACED December by TGT 3530 (Zeal)
1980
Instruments in use in 1980;
  • Pressure
    • Kew Barometer Mk2 Met ref. 1543 (Negretti&Zambra) no. 1927/38/40/55/63/68
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 no. 712
    • Marine barograph Mk1 Ref 966, 5271/56.
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb HG/TH TGT 3538 with no correction at -10
    • Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 376 (Zeal)
      REPLACED 26th September by no. 2729
    • Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 378 (Zeal)
      OR No. 377 (There is some confusion here and possibly an unrecorded swap) REPLACED 5 Feb by no. 2737
    • Assman ice bulb TGT 3530 REPLACED 22nd April by WHB 2738
    • Screen Maximum; TGS 9327
      REPLACED 9th May by 26835 REPLACED 20th May TGS9326 REPLACED 20th june M26846/64 REPLACED 31st August by M26855 REPLACED 18th November M26862/64
    • Screen minimum; 12103/67
      (Casella) spirit in glass
    • Thermograph Case from Mk3 s/n 2504/61 with mechanics of no. 1884/55 REPLACED end of July by Mk3 Serial/n 1884/55
    • Dynalog Multichannel Temperature recorder.
  • Humidity
    • Hygrograph No. 2119/70 (Darton) (before winter) Wilson, Warden no. 1404/54 (after winter).
  • Wind measurement
    • Station Anemometer (10 meters) Mk 2 cup genny with Mk 3B magslip transmitter Duplex recorder no. 8617311 (Everett). Direction dial no 2176 (munro). Mk2 speed dial No. 11533/131.
    • Screen level Mk 4A generator no. 659/72 REPLACED 3 April by Mk 4A no. 341/67/71 - recorded on Everett Edgecumbe no. 901 890
    • Hand anemometer. (Munro) no. 373
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell-Stokes Recorders Nos. 436/52 and 418/52. Spheres nos. 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52, 1825/55.

    Supplied with Plessey/Viz type 1395 sondes. Started using new Neoprene rather than Latex balloons with a significant increase in the average height attained.
1980January
It was discovered in January that the sunshine recorders were about 30 minutes behind Local Apparent time. The azimuths were adjusted.
19805th February
Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 378 (Zeal)
OR No. 377 (There is some confusion here and possibly an unrecorded swap)
REPLACED 5 Feb by no. 2737
1980April
Mid-level anemometer removed early April. Assman ice bulb TGT 3530
REPLACED 22nd April by WHB 2738
The Marine barometer was dismantled, cleaned and reassembled late April.
1980May
Screen Maximum; TGS 9327
REPLACED 9th May by 26835
REPLACED 20th May TGS9326
1980June
Screen Maximum; TGS9326
REPLACED 20th june M26846/64
1980July
Thermograph Case from Mk3 s/n 2504/61 with mechanics of no. 1884/55 REPLACED end of July by Mk3 Serial/n 1884/55
198031st August
Screen Maximum; M26846/64
REPLACED 31st August by M26855
1980September
In early September a calibration was done on the anemometers recorders. They were found to be slightly incorrect and were adjusted to be more accurate. The standard recorder was over-reading by 25 percent and the screen level by 18 percent. Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 376 (Zeal)
REPLACED 26th September by no. 2729
The screen and Assman were moved 4m to the East in late September - new mains cables were run out to the screen at the same time.
1980October
At the 3 monthly aneroid calibration it was found to be 0.2mb less than it should. The aneroid was corrected.
198018th November
Screen Maximum; M26855
REPLACED 18th November M26862/64
1981
Instruments in use in 1981;
  • Pressure
    • Kew Barometer Mk2 Met ref. 1543 (Negretti&Zambra) no. 1927/38/40/55/63/68 with attached thermometer EE 15906
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 no. 712
    • Marine barograph Mk1 Ref 966, 5271/56.
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb HG/TH TGT 3538 with no correction at -10
    • Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 2729 (Zeal) REPLACED 5th May with Zeal 377
    • Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 2737
    • Assman ice bulb WHB 2738
    • Screen Maximum; M26862/64 REPLACED 17th November M26843 REPLACED 24th December by M26837
    • Screen minimum; Serial/n 1884/55 REPLACED at some point by Spirit in glass 12103/67 (Casella) REPLACED 16th May by 80233 (Casella) REPLACED 18th May by 80231 (Casella)
    • Dynalog Multichannel Temperature recorder. DISCONTINUED 1st Jan and REPLACED 22nd April by thermoprobes.
    • Thermograph Mk3 s/n 1884/55
  • Humidity
    • Wilson, Warden no. 1404/54
  • Wind measurement
    • Station Anemometer (10 meters) Mk 2 cup genny with Mk 3B magslip transmitter Duplex recorder no. 8617311 (Everett). Direction dial no 2176 (munro). Mk2 speed dial No. 11533/131. REPLACED 14th March by Mk 4a anemometer and Mk 4b wind vane with Desynn transmitter. REPLACED 26th November by Mk2 anemometer and Mk1 vane and Recorder 861731.
    • Screen level Mk 4A no. 341/67/71 - recorded on Everett Edgecumbe no. 901 890.
    • Hand anemometer. (Munro) no. 373
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell-Stokes Recorders Nos. 436/52 and 418/52. Spheres nos. 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52, 1825/55.

Upper air flights: Sondes same as last year
1981January
Aneroid decreased by 0.2
Dynalog disconnected on 1st January.
1981Febuary
Screen level Mk 4a no. 341/67/71 discontinued 10th Feb.
1981March
Mest mast resited.
1981April
Aneroid increased by 0.4.
Thermoprobes operational from 22nd April.
On the 27th April the anemometer dial was found to be reading 10 percent high.
1981May
13th May the anemometer cups replaced when old ones found to be reading 30 percent low.
1981August
Aneroid decreased by 0.1

Upper air flights: Balloon shed burnt down - destroying most upper air equipment.

1981September
Aneroid increased by 0.55
1981November
Aneroid increased by 0.4 and on 12th decreased by 0.4
Miniscis on Kew Barometer disappeared indicating that it needed to be replaced.
1982
Instruments in use in 1982;
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 no. 712
    • Spare Aneroid Mk1 s/n 710
    • Marine barograph 5271/56
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb HG/TH TGT 3538 with no correction at -10 REPLACED 16th Feb by WHB 2727 (Zeal) REPLACED 20th July by no. 260 REPLACED 23rd July by WHB 2736 REPLACED 30th August by 7477 (Zeal) REPLACED 24th September by YHN 7480
    • Screen ice bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. no. 377 (Zeal) REPLACED 30th August by 7483 (Zeal)
    • Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 2737
    • Assman ice bulb WHB 2738 REPLACED 7th February by WHB 2731
    • Screen Maximum; M26837 REPLACED 1st Feb by YHN 9772 REPLACED 22nd Feb by 26855 REPLACED 7th Mar by 26859 REPLACED 21st May by YHN 9773 REPLACED 4th Oct by M26837
    • Screen minimum; 80231 (Casella) REPLACED 21st Jan by 80233 (Casella) REPLACED 25ths Jan by 12109 (Casella) REPLACED 9th Feb by YHN 4031 (Zeal)
    • Thermoprobes.
    • Thermograph Mk3 s/n 1884/55 REPLACED 09th October by MO/0293/55/78
  • Humidity
    • Wilson, Warden no. 1404/54
  • Wind measurement
    • Mk2 cup genny with magslip transmitter E-1-G-/1 REPLACED 30th July by Mk4a anemometer and Mk 4b vane Magslip replaced by E-2-A-1. Recorded on Everett-Edgecumbe Duplex no. 861731
    • Hand held anemometer
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell-Stokes Recorders Nos. 436/52 and 418/52. Spheres nos. 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52, 1825/55.

Started using DCP - data collection platform for transmitting data.
Upper air flights: Restarted following contruction of new balloon shed.
From Feb 11th to March 8th the 9Y series sondes were flown

1982March
From March 10th and September 1st the 0Y series sondes were flown
1982May
12th May - sunshine stand raised
1982August
9th August - sunshine stand raised
1982September
From September 1st the IC4 series sondes were flown
1982November
On the 5th of November the Assman motor was replaced.
1983
Instruments in use in 1983; OLD HALLEY (3)
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 no. 712
    • Spare Aneroid Mk1 s/n 710
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb YHN 7480 REPLACED 7th July by 98132
    • Screen ice bulb 7483 (Zeal) REPLACED 7th July by 98132 (Zeal) REPLACED 27th July by 98132 (Zeal) REPLACED 21st September by YHN 7493
    • Assman dry bulb Mercury Thallium, solid stem. No. 375
    • Assman ice bulb 379 REPLACED 17th November by 377 (Zeal)
    • Screen Maximum; M26837 REPLACED 02nd Jan by 26841 REPLACED 06th Jan by 26851 REPLACED 08th July by 26871 REPLACED 09th Aug by 26851 (again) REPLACED 11th Nov Max temps from thermograph (run out of thermometers)
    • Screen minimum; YHN 4031 (Zeal) REPLACED 29 Apr by 12103 (Casella) REPLACED 9th August by YHN 4034 REPLACED 20th September by YHN 4031
    • Thermoprobes.
    • Thermograph 1884/55
  • Humidity
    • Wilson, Warden no. 1404/54
  • Wind measurement
    • (10m) Mk4a anemometer and Mk 4b vane Magslip E-2-A-1. Recorded on Everett-Edgecumbe Duplex no. 861731
    • Hand held anemometer
  • Sunshine
    • Campbell-Stokes Recorders Nos. 436/52 and 418/52. Spheres nos. 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52, 1825/55.

Instruments in use in 1983; NEW HALLEY (4)

  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk1 no. 712
    • Spare Aneroid Mk1 s/n 710
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • Kew barometer S3622
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb YHN 7480
    • Screen ice bulb YHN 7483
    • Assman dry bulb M9565-75
    • Assman ice bulb M9591-75
    • Screen Maximum; 26855 broken 28th October but no replacement. REPLACED by max. temps from thermograph.
    • Screen minimum; YHN 4039
    • Thermoprobes.
    • Thermograph no number
  • Wind measurement - 10m anemometer and vane; Munro 2 cup generator no 932 with magslip transmitter E-1-G/1 recorded on two Everett-Edgecumb recorders.
    • (10m)

Major improvements in communications and computing this year. Notably a micro-computer which has helped automate met data processing. By mid-November programs checked each observation, stored data on disc, compiled monthly stats and processed flight data.

Two new Kew-pattern barometers were sent in last relief one of which (S3622) became the station standard. The other, S1927 was bad - it will be returned to the UK.

Meteorology at new site: Munro anemometer/vane sited 8th October and functioning 2nd November. Spare screen installed October 7th. Readings in screen commenced 1200GMT 9th October.

Upper air flights:This years sondes have all been VIZ 1C4.

1983February
Aneroid 712 was increased by 0.4mb.
1983April
27th April - the gain and zero on the Munro anemometer were adjusted.
1983June
On 15th June the hand held anemometer was retired. (ball bearings had gone)
Upper air flights: new sonde program received.
1983October
Movement of meteorological station to Halley commenced with installation of instruments at Halley 4. Records of wind and temperature under way.
1984
Instruments in use in 1984; NEW HALLEY (4)
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Spare Aneroid Mk1 s/n 710
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • New Kew barometer S1927 (Negretti and Zambra)
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb YHN 7480
    • Screen ice bulb YHN 7483
    • Assman dry bulb 375 REPLACED 5th August by BHS 6603
    • Assman ice bulb 377 (zeal) REPLACED 5th August by BHS 6602
    • Screen Maximum;YHN 9774 REPLACED 9th May by 9776
    • Screen minimum; YHN 4039
    • Thermoprobes.
    • Thermograph no number REPLACED 7th March Mk 3 no. 1884/55
  • Humidity F Darton and co. no. 211970
  • Wind measurement - 10m anemometer and vane; Munro 2 cup generator no 932 with magslip transmitter E-1-G/1 recorded on two Everett-Edgecumb recorders.
    • (10m)
  • Sunshine Two Campbell-Stokes recorders Nos. 418/52 and 436/52 with spheres 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52 and 1825/55.

A new Vaisala Micro-cora automatic sounding system was purchased for Halley and installed in 1984. First flight using new system 4th February.

Height of cistern Dec 1983 3.3m.
Height of cistern dec 1984 1.7m.
Height of station above sea level 30m.

1984September
New Stevenson screen.
1985
Instruments in use in 1985;
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Spare Aneroid Mk1 s/n 710
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • Kew barometer S1927 (Negretti and Zambra)
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb YHN 7480
    • Screen ice bulb YHN 7483
    • Assman dry bulb BHS 6603
    • Assman ice bulb BHS 6602
    • Screen Maximum;YHN 9776
    • Screen minimum; YHN 4039 REPLACED 13th July by UHA 1307 REPLACED 3rd September by YHN 4045
    • Thermoprobes.
    • Thermograph no. 1884/55
  • Humidity F Darton and co. no. 211970
  • Wind measurement - 10m anemometer and vane; Munro 2 cup generator no 932 with magslip transmitter E-1-G/1 recorded on two Everett-Edgecumb recorders.
    • (10m)
  • Sunshine Two Campbell-Stokes recorders Nos. 418/52 and 436/52 with spheres 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52 and 1825/55.

Height of station above sea level 30m
Height of cistern above station dec 84 1.7m
Height of cistern above station nov 85 0.4m.

1985February
After comparison between aneroid and Kew barometers the following action was taken; Dial adjusted down 0.4mb to remove offset applied in 1984
1985August
After comparison between aneroid and Kew barometers the following action was taken; Correction of -0.1 made but dial not adjusted.
1985November
After comparison between aneroid and Kew barometers the following action was taken; correction removed.
1986
Instruments in use in 1986;
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Spare Aneroid Mk1 s/n 710
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • Kew barometer S1927 (Negretti and Zambra)
  • Temperature
    • Screen dry bulb YHN 7480
    • Screen ice bulb YHN 7483
    • Assman dry bulb BHS 6603
    • Assman ice bulb BHS 6602
    • Screen Maximum;YHN 9776 REPLACED 14th Mar by YHN 9778
    • Screen minimum; YHN 4045 REPLACED 15th April by M67409/80 REPLACED 19th April by YHN4045
    • Thermograph no. 1884/55
  • Humidity F Darton and co. no. 211970
  • Wind measurement - 10m anemometer and vane; Munro Mk IV IM 124 cup generator. recorded on Everett-Edgecumb recorders.
    • (10m)
  • Sunshine Two Campbell-Stokes recorders Nos. 418/52 and 436/52 with spheres 1022/46, 1686/52, 1690/52 and 1825/55.

SCAWS in stalled. SCAWS in the new automatic weather station. It was installed with a few to running it in parallel with other equipment and to eventually usurp it. The test period was 15 months. The PRT and humidity sensor were put in the Stevensons screen. The anemometer and vane put on the mast. Pressure is from the KDG barometer. The sunshine recorder installed and it was noted that it is more sensitive than the old cards and hence shows more sunshine. Radiation is by Kipp pyranometer.

Height of station above sea level 30m
Height of cistern above station NOV 85 0.4m
Height of cistern above station DEC 86 -0.8m.

1986March
OMEGA wind finding system not working well.
1986April
From April through to July there was considerable riming - with the Munro seizing up even at speeds of 15-18 knots.
Kew barometer reading -0.2mbars so adjusted
1986August
5th August, Munro anemometer removed from mast, 20th reconnected. Not working perfectly until 13th September when direction was reset.
1986October
Kew barometer reading -0.16mbars so adjusted

OMEGA wind finding system not working well.

1987
Instruments in use in 1987; INCLUDES INSTRUMENTS FOR SCAWS
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • KDG barometer
  • Temperature
    • PRT (no s/n)
    • Thermograph mk II No. 1884/55 and BS 3231
  • Humidity
    • Vaisala humidity sensor type HMP 14
    • Vaisala humicap calibration unit
  • Wind measurement -
    • Vector instruments anemometers - type A100M
    • Vector instruments windvanes - type W200P
      Anemos:
      • E - 1258, rotor - A42
      • W - 1259, rotor - C25
      Vanes:
      • N - 1018, vane - P17
      • S - 1037, vane - P38
  • Sunshine
    • Haenni Sunshine detector, type SOLAR111b no. 3391
    • Eppley UV radiometer

The humidity sensor is only rated to -20 and so winter RH may not be reliable.

Height of station above sea level 30m
Height of cistern above station DEC 86 -0.8m
Height of cistern above station DEC 87 -1.49m.

1987January
1st SCAWS on line and providing Met data.
1987February
28th SCAWS calibrations
1987April
1897June
25th June SCAWS calibrations
1987July
13th July SCAWS calibrations
21st July SCAWS South vane unscrewed itself in high wind and anemometer cables repaired.
19th July - instructed by Faraday to use new total cloud coding.
1987August
25th SCAWS South vane cable replaced
1987September
23rd - old cloud group code reinstated
1897November
5th - SCAWS calibrations
1897December
31st - UV photometer set up.
1988
Instruments in use in 1988; INCLUDES INSTRUMENTS FOR SCAWS
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Precision Aneroid mk1 Type M20000 s/n Z132
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • KDG barometer
  • Temperature
    • PRT (no s/n)
    • Thermograph mk II No. 1884/55 and BS 3231
  • Humidity
    • Vaisala humidity sensor type HMP 14
    • Vaisala humicap calibration unit
  • Wind measurement -
    • Vector instruments anemometers - type A100M
    • Vector instruments windvanes - type W200P
      Anemos:
      • E - 1258, rotor - A42
      • W -1259, rotor - C25
        REPLACED 23rd September by
      • W -1259, rotor - 524
      Vanes:
      • N - 1018, vane - P17
      • S-1037 vane - P38
  • Radiation and Sunshine
    • Haenni Sunshine detector, type SOLAR111b no. 3391
    • Solarimeter CM2 1186
    • Eppley UV radiometer

Height of station above sea level 30m
Height of surface above cistern 1st jan 88 = 2.5m, 24th Jul 88 = 3.2m and 2nd Jan 89 = 3.3m

Upper air flights; Vaisala RS80 sondes used.

1988January
6th - anemometer mast raised 1 section to 11.5m.
1988May
30th - Munro anemometer replaced
1988July
Prior to raising the sun detector in July it was noticed that the angle of the detector was 66 degrees to the horizontal - it was changed to 76.
1988September
The cups on the West anemometer were changed.
1988October
19th - the East anemometer read as much as 10 knots lower than Munro. The cups were observed to be vibrating slightly - but started working properly again later same day. Problem returned late December and cups and anemometer were replaced January 1989.
1989
Instruments in use in 1989; INSTRUMENTS FOR SCAWS
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Precision Aneroid mk1 Type M20000 s/n Z132
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • KDG barometer
  • Temperature
    • PRT (no s/n)
    • Thermograph mk II No. 1884/55 and BS 3231
  • Humidity
    • Vaisala humidity sensor type HMP 14
    • Vaisala humicap calibration unit
  • Wind measurement -
    • Vector instruments anemometers - type A100M
    • Vector instruments anemometer - type A100K
    • Vector instruments windvanes - type W200P
      serial nos. Anemos:
      • E - 1258, rotor - A42
        REPLACED 3rd Jan by
      • E - 1257, rotor - J82 REPLACED 24th Jan by
      • E - 1257, rotor - J82 REPLACED 25th Jan by
      • E - 1699, rotor - J82 REPLACED 25th Jan by
      • E - 1699, rotor - 523
      • W -1259, rotor - 524
      Vanes:
      • N - 1018, vane - P17
      • S-1037, vane - P38
    • Radiation and Sunshine Haenni Sunshine detector, type SOLAR111b no. 3391
    • Solarimeter CM2 1186
    • Eppley UV radiometer

Height of station above sea level 30m
Height of surface above cistern 2nd Jan 89 = 3.3m and 22nd Feb 1990 3.8m

B158 averaged 0.67mb high and Z132 0.58mb high compared to KDG.

Upper air flights; Vaisala RS80 sondes used.

1989January
Problems with SCAWS anemometers:
East anemometer reading less than Munro so it was disabled. On 3rd cups replaced and on 24th whole assembly replaced by K type drum. Finally on 25th another set of cups installed.
1989February
PRT calibration - PRT reading 0.1 C high
UV meter software debugged and UV meter in good working order in 12th.
1989August
West anemometer giving false readings in high winds - opened, checked, reassembled and problem went away.
1989December
Maximum recorded by SCAWS of +4.8 but screen max. records +3.3.
1990
Instruments in use in 1990; INSTRUMENTS FOR SCAWS
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Precision Aneroid mk1 Type M20000 s/n Z132
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • KDG barometer 822839/1a
  • Temperature
    • PRT (no s/n)
  • Humidity
    • Vaisala humidity sensor type HMP 14
    • Vaisala humicap calibration unit
  • Wind measurement -
    • Vector instruments anemometer - type A100M
    • Vector instruments anemometer - type A100K
    • Vector instruments windvanes - type W200P
      serial nos. Anemos:
      • E - 1699, rotor - 523
      • W -1259, rotor - 524
      Vanes:
      • N - 1018, vane - P17
      • S-1037, vane - P38
    • Radiation and Sunshine Haenni Sunshine detector, type SOLAR111b no. 3391
    • Solarimeter CM2 1186
    • Eppley UV radiometer

B158 has averaged 0.8mb high and Z132 0.7mb high compared to KDG.

Vaisala RS80 sondes used throughout except for one non-omega sonde trial at the end of December.

1990March
19th Sensor element for humidity probe broken.
1990April
The indicator tube failed in Z132 - replaced with twi LEDs.
1990June
21st A humidity probe sustained damage - needed new transistor.
North vane 5 degrees out in June calibrations.
1990October
3rd - Humidity probe broken.
1990November
SCAWS started rejecting wind speeds because gusts were too large. Check constants were increased from 400 to 600 on E and 200 to 300 on W.
1991
1992
1993
Instruments in use in 1993; INSTRUMENTS FOR MAWS
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Precision Aneroid mk1 Type M20000 s/n Z132
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • Setra Systems Pressure Sensor type 270 model 214063
    • AIR-HB-1A Digital Barometer/Altimeter s/n 8B0673
  • Temperature
    • MAWS PRT (no s/n) type Hy-Cal PRT100. Two used.
    • Dry bulb alcohol CHU 5974
    • Minimum mercury YHN 4033 REPLACED 26th August by YHN 4031
    • Maximum mercury DHX 8870 REPLACED 6th March by DHX 8873 REPLACED 18th July by YHN 9785
    • Inspectors BHS 9435 and DHW 1057
  • Humidity
    • Hy-Cal 827-D-MB s/n 902338 REPLACED 28th June by Hy-Cal 827-D-MB s/n not recorded
  • Wind measurement -
    • Vector instruments Porton anemometer - type A100H serial number 3245, rotor 606, module 1274
    • Vector instruments Porton windvanes - type W200
      serial number 1686, vane X58
    • Hand held anemometer.
  • Radiation and Sunshine Haenni Sunshine detector, type SOLAR111b no. 3391
  • Eppley UV radiometer no. 27320
  • Kipp pyranometer model CM6 no. 721679 REPLACED 2nd Jan 1994 with 09431756

"Yellow spot" and "Red spot" sondes used with AIR receiver system.

1993February
12th - Spare PRT tested and the offset it required was not removed from the config.4 file until 10th June so all temperatures recorded between these dates are 1.1C high.
1993June
28th PRT replaced due to fault with humidity sensor. The spare PRT/humidity sensor unit was put in place and 1.1C offset put in config.4 file. However following a calibration on the 29th offset was found unnecessary and removed.
8:30z-4th to 17:10z-7th June - synops / readings done manually. Wind speed taken from Hand held anemometer held 2m high.
1993September
6th - Sunshine detector not working. An unsuccessful repair attempt was made and on 1st October was removed. The Campbell Stokes was mounted on the roof to replace it. The repaired detector was reinstalled 11th October.
1st - wind vane replaced.
1994
Instruments in use in 1994; INSTRUMENTS FOR MAWS
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • Setra Systems Pressure Sensor type 270 model 214063
    • AIR-HB-1A Digital Barometer/Altimeter s/n 8B0673
  • Temperature
    • MAWS PRT (no s/n) type Hy-Cal PRT100. Two used.
    • Dry bulb alcohol CHU 5974
    • Minimum mercury YHN 4031
    • Maximum mercury YHN 9785 broken in 1994.
    • Inspectors BHS 9435 (Banned 8th feb 94) and DHW 1057 Broken 18th Jan 1984
  • Humidity
    • Hy-Cal 827-D-MB s/n not recorded
  • Wind measurement -
    • Vector instruments Porton anemometer - type A100H serial number 3245, rotor 606, module 1274
    • Vector instruments Porton windvanes - type W200
      serial number 1686, vane X58
    • Hand held anemometer.
  • Radiation and Sunshine Haenni Sunshine detector, type SOLAR111b no. 3391
  • Eppley UV radiometer no. 27320
  • Kipp pyranometer model CM6 no. 09431756

Heights Screen: 1.2m (2/1/94) and 1.27m (4/10/94), mast: 11.5m (6/1/95)
Problems occured this year with the wind vane "sticking". Errors appeared in the file and the vane was manually rotated through 720 degrees to solve glitch.

Red spot, yellow spot and blue spot sondes in use. The calibration for the pressure sensor is more accurate for red spot sondes than the others.

1994February
The met mast was raised on the 10th Feb and manual obs were carried out while the instruments were powered down.
1994March
A new sunshine detector was supplied this year but had the wrong plug. So its PCB was removed and put in the old detector. On 14th March detector failed and was fixed. On 23rd March the detector leads were lengthened to move detector further from mast shadow.
1994April
Wind vane moved 10 degrees clockwise to correct alignment - checked against a compass on 19th April.
1995
1996
Instruments in use in 1994; INSTRUMENTS FOR MAWS
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Marine barograph s/n 5271/56
    • Setra Systems Pressure Sensor type 270 model 220357
    • AIR-HB-1A Digital Barometer/Altimeter s/n 8B0673
  • Temperature
    • MAWS PRT (no s/n) type Hy-Cal PRT100. Two used.
    • Dry bulb alcohol CHU 5974
  • Humidity
    • Hy-Cal 827-D-MB s/n not recorded
  • Wind measurement -
    • Vector instruments Porton anemometer - type A100H serial number 3245, rotor 606, module 1274
    • Vector instruments Porton windvanes - type W200
      serial number 1685, vane X58
    • Hand held anemometer.
  • Radiation and Sunshine Haenni Sunshine detector, type SOLAR111b no. 3391
  • Eppley UV radiometer no. 27320
  • Solarimeter G181186

1996January
A replacement humidity sensor was calibrated at Halley during Jan. 1996 and placed in the Screen on 15th January. Initially the sensor output appeared more reasonable but after some time reverted back to the high readings as produced by its predecessor.
An investigation of barometer drift in late 1995 led to the replacement on 27th Jan 96 of the transducer with an identical Setra Systems spare.

Upper air flights: AIR intellisondes model IS-4A-1680 were flown throughout the year.

1997
1998
Instruments in use in 1998; INSTRUMENTS FOR MAWS
  • Pressure
    • Precision Aneroid Mk2 Type M2236 s/n B158
    • Marine barograph s/n 9665271/56
    • Setra Systems Pressure Sensor type 270 model 220357
      Spare no. SN220357
    • AIR-HB-1A Digital Barometer/Altimeter s/n 8B0673
    • Vaisala PA11 (summer only)
  • Temperature
    • MAWS PRT (no s/n) type Hy-Cal PRT100. Two used. REPLACED 21st April
    • Dry bulb Spirit in glass ORD 4/C
  • Humidity
    • Vaisala HMD60U
  • Wind measurement -
    • Vector instruments Porton anemometer - type A100H serial number 3245, rotor 606, module 1274 REPLACED by no. 1699
    • Vector instruments Porton windvanes - type W200
      serial number 1685, vane X58
    • Hand held anemometer.
  • Radiation and Sunshine Haenni Sunshine detector, type SOLAR111b no. 3391 REPLACED 2nd Jan NO. 3282
  • Eppley UV radiometer no. 27320
  • Kipp and Zonen pyranometer G181186
  • Stokes sunshine spheres

Upper air flights: 5A sondes used with AIR software.

1998March
17th - Kipp and Zonen pyranometer serviced.
1998April
21st - PRT replaced with spare
1998June
23rd - Spare Anemometer installed.
1998August
17th - Wind vane realigned by 10 degrees.
1999
Instruments in use ; Setra pressure sensor, Hy-Cal PT100 PRT in a Stevenson screen, Hy-Cal ultra-H II humidity probe, Vector A100H anemometer and Vector W200P wind vane.

MAWSON weather station installed in January to replace the MAWS system, both systems ran during the 1999 winter.
2000
MAWSON becomes operational system on 1st Jamuary

Instruments in use Vaisala PTB 100A pressure sensor, aspirated PRT, Vaisala humidity probe, Vector A100H anemometer and Vector W200P wind vane

2001
Instruments in use Vaisala PTB 100A pressure sensor, aspirated PRT, Vaisala humidity probe, Vector A100H anemometer and Vector W200P wind vane

2002
Instruments in use Vaisala PTB 100A pressure sensor, aspirated PRT, Vaisala humidity probe, Vector A100H anemometer and Vector W200P wind vane

2003
Instruments in use Vaisala PTB 100A pressure sensor, aspirated PRT, Vaisala humidity probe, Vector A100H anemometer and Vector W200P wind vane

2004
Instruments in use Vaisala PTB 100A pressure sensor, aspirated PRT, Vaisala humidity probe, Vector A100H anemometer and Vector W200P wind vane

MILOS 520 automatic weather station installed in January to replace MAWSON, both system ran during 2004

2005
MILOS became the operational system on the 1 st January

Instruments in use Vaisala DPA500 digital barometer, aspirated PTR, Vaisala HMP45 humidity probe and Vasiala WAS425 ultrasonic anemometer.

2006
Instruments in use Vaisala DPA500 digital barometer, aspirated PTR, Vaisala HMP45 humidity probe and Vasiala WAS425 ultrasonic anemometer.
2007
Instruments in use Vaisala DPA500 digital barometer, aspirated PTR, Vaisala HMP45 humidity probe and Vasiala WAS425 ultrasonic anemometer.

Campbell Scientific automatic weather station installed alongsite meteorological mast in preparation for Halley partial shutdown

2008
Campbell Scientific automatic weather station - druck pressure sensor, unaspirated PRT, provane at 2.5m
2009
Campbell Scientific automatic weather station - druck pressure sensor, unaspirated PRT, provane at 2.5m
2010
Campbell Scientific automatic weather station - druck pressure sensor, unaspirated PRT, provane at 2.5m
2011
Campbell Scientific automatic weather station - druck pressure sensor, unaspirated PRT, provane at 2.5m
2012
New Halley VI station open

Instruments in use Druck pressure sensor, aspirated PTR, Vaisala HMP45 humidity probe, propvane, sunshine detector, CNR4 solar radiation sensor and Vasiala WAS425 ultrasonic anemometer.