Recognition criteria for meteorological observing stations

Mandatory criteria: 

  1. The observing station was founded at least 100 years ago, observing at least one meteorological element since then, and is in operation as an observing station at the date of nomination; 
  2. Periods of inactivity of the observing station shall not exceed 10 %; 
  3. The minimum historic station metadata for the full duration of station operation shall contain actual or derived geographical coordinates including elevation, known changes of station name and/or station identifier, identified meteorological element(s) and its unit(s) as well as the observing schedule(s); 
  4. Any known observing station relocation or change in the measurement technique have not significantly affected the climatological time-series data; Note: Documented data homogenization for the observing station is considered compliant with criterion 4; 
  5. All historic observational data and metadata have been digitally archived or will be rescued. Members shall share their plans for data rescue, if applicable; 
  6. The observing station shall be operated according to WMO observing standards according to the Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO-No. 1160) and the Guide to Instruments and Methods of Observation (WMO-No. 8); Note: Explanatory information shall be provided for those stations that do not meet current WMO observing standards; 
  7. The current environment of the observing station has been classified or will be classified according to the siting classification defined in the Guide to Instruments and Methods of Observation (WMO No. 8). Members shall share (i) the metadata attached to the siting classification in the appropriate WMO metadata repository (currently OSCAR) or (ii) their plans to classify the observing station, if applicable; 
  8. The observed and measured data shall be subject to routine quality control procedures according to current WMO guidelines and practices. The quality control processes as well as its results shall be well documented. Note: A brief description of the routine quality procedures at the observing station shall be included in the References/Remarks column; 
  9. Members shall do their utmost to maintain nominated stations according to the above recognition criteria; 
  10. * Historic observation data and metadata have been or will be made available for scientific research according to Resolution 1 (Cg-Ext(2021)) - WMO Unified Policy for the International Exchange of Earth System Data. Members shall share their plans for data availability, if applicable. 

*Criterion updated in 2022 to replace references to Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) and Resolution 60 (Cg-17) by Resolution 1 (Cg-Ext2021)) 

Self-assessment template for nomination of candidate meteorological observing stations