After Delhi's 52.9C, Nagpur records sizzling 56C. Are data from Automatic Weather Stations reliable?
India Heatwave
As India grapples with a massive heatwave, a weather station in Nagpur city in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra has recorded a mind-boggling temperature of 56 degrees Celsius. The Nagpur AWS (Automatic Weather Station), installed in the middle of the 24-hectare open agricultural field at Ramdaspeth, recorded the sizzling temperature. This comes days after an AWS in North-West Delhi recorded the maximum temperature at 52.9 degrees Celsius; however, officials suspect an error in the station's sensor may have led to the unusual reading.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier on Thursday (May 30) said the highest temperature in the country was recorded at Sri Ganganagar (West Rajasthan) at 48.3°C.
Is data from AWS reliable?
According to experts, a thermometer-based temperature reading is always more reliable than a sensor-based reading. That's why, these AWS are more prone to giving wrong temperature readings if the sensors are placed wrongly or the heat exposure is not appropriate.
On the other hand, thermometer-based readings are based on a “Stevenson Screen,” a wooden box where meteorological instruments are placed to protect them from rainfalls, storms and direct sun exposure. But these boxes are well-ventilated so that air can freely flow around them.
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Mahesh Palawat, vice-president, of meteorology and climate change at Skymet, was quoted as saying by Business Standard, "This helps in measuring temperature accurately.”
IMD launches investigation over 52.9C reading
Meanwhile, the IMD has launched a probe over the abnormal reading of 52.9C recorded Wednesday. Earlier, the weather department issued a clarification, saying an error in sensors may have registered the wrong reading.
This has raised questions on the authenticity of the temperature readings recorded in Nagpur AWS. However, it remains to be seen whether authorities issue any explanation for the abnormal reading or if the heatwave is really shattering previous records in the country.
(With inputs from agencies)