Lesson 115

Question 1

Name two causes of instrument errors.

FD

Answer 1

Freezing rain on the anemometer

Dirty Dewcell

Question 2

Name two causes of communication errors.

GM

Answer 2

Garbled transmissions

Missing observations

Question 3

What are four causes of instrument reading errors by humans.

DTIP

Answer 3

Dyslexia
Transposition errors
Inattention or complacency
Parameter read wrong

Question 4

Name five limitations of AWOS observations.

SFCSMM

Answer 4

Several reports over short periods of time
Freezing drizzle and drizzle are not reported
Ceilometer only reports cloud directly overhead
Sensor malfunctions
May report freezing precipitation above 0C and below +3C.
May report IC, FU, or temperature inversion as cloud layers.

Question 5

How can we uncover inconsistencies with the data we receive.

Answer 5

Never look at one piece of data in isolation. Always compare with other information to ensure consistency.