Manston Part 3 – An appeal to all number crunchers out there!

Here are Manston part 1 and part 2 for reference.

Back on 2nd September I published a review of the Hawarden site in north Wales. The main talking point was the relocation of the Screen to be even closer to the distorting influences of the taxiway and traffic areas and its subsequent resultant record breaking. In my research since I have found a number of other cases where there have been simultaneously operating sites in extremely close proximity such as at RHS Wisley and Wittering. These instances have been historic events – a similar case at Manston offers the opportunity of current real time comparisons which have so far not been available. Already there are some interesting points to note.

Basically the Met Office has confirmed there are two separate fully functioning screens just 56 metres apart. The oldest and furthest from the runway is named “Manston” (number SYNOP 03797) has always been available to view online at both the Met Office Weather Observations Website and also from https://weatherobs.com/ where it appears as below.

Until recently the newer Manston No 2 (from 2019) did not appear online and its data was only viewable historically in archive form here. However, as it is a fully functioning station its data has now been picked up on by weatherobs. This site has to be individually searched (I cannot post a direct link to individual site data) and its identifier is almost, but not quite, indistinguishable sitting behind the main site on the locator map. If you zoom in to maximum resolution it is possible to click on its unique data as SYNOP 99227. It looks like this below.

It is noticeable that the newer No 2 site reports readings to the second decimal place as opposed to just a single decimal place for the older site. They should, though, both be calibrated to the same standard. Under normal circumstances such a small distance separation in a flat open site should not result in anything other than truly minute differences in temperature recording absent other factors coming into play. In this case being closer to the runway could have an effect as could any development activity at this airport in the throes of reopening for international flights.

The first glance at comparative figures shows some surprising variances. From the above (not a cherry pick just the first time I had current data) it was noticeable that discrepancies were immediately apparent. Day time readings were, as expected, effectively identical BUT night time ones showed a consistently warmer picture at the No 2 site (closer to the runway) with variances up to 0.8°C commonplace. An important point to remember is that the Met office describes this new unit as “tripod mounted” and is a “moveable feast” that could easily be relocated – I assume it is not..

So I would like to make an appeal for assistance if I may. With all the other site reviews and issues at hand it is becoming increasingly difficult to monitor all aspects. If anyone can spare the time ( it does not have to be daily as weatherobs runs a continually rolling 7 day record) it would be very much appreciated for data logging of the two sites with variations highlighted if someone could take this valuable work on for me. A record of wind speed and direction would be required as well from the same source as temperature.

If it can be demonstrated with hard data (supplied ultimately from the Met Office themselves via weatherobs) that this proximity to the runway has measurable and defined effects, then a strong case against the Met Office for an independent watchdog to be appointed can be made.

Any help please let me know

Ray

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