Broadwindsor DCNN8727 – What criterion do amateur weather stations meet to be Met Office adopted?
52.82169 -2.78992 Met Office CIMO Assessed Class 4 Temperature records from 1/11/2011.
Broadwindsor is another example of a recently, installed and maunal reporting garden site at Providence Farm, Common Water Lane, Broadwindsor. When researching these types of stations I am often baffled by why the Met Office selects them when they are obviously poorly sited from the start. I think in this case I have found a reason which probably applies to many others. It seems to be simply who you are and who you Know!
This site was a long term rain gauge site (likely for reasons to be revealed later) that had a screen and more instrumentation added in 2011 from when temperature readings started. Broadwindsor is in Dorset, a county which, to me, appears overly endowed with lots of relatively new but very poor to atrocious sites such as Kingston Maurward. The Met Office quotes Class 4 for this site which I feel is incorrect. I am certainly not one to nit-pick but the screen is almost literally sitting on the fence like Seavington: Hurcott Farm – is this a west country thing?
The hedgeing, changeable ground cover (a vegetable patch it would seem running to the south) and proximity to building really makes this an unregulated Class 5. Are the Met Office claiming this site is on a par with sites like Stowe.
The tall trees surrounding the site (no doubt a source of shading and acting as windbreaks) prohibit a Streetview image but the 2D option from historic images offers this below.
So why was this garden site chosen to be included in the data set of official Met Office “Climate Reporting” stations? This is how it is described on the Met Office WOW page.
I cannot find any obvious indication that this site is associated with an education unit though I may be wrong. What I was able to verify was who actually runs this site, Dr Mike Lowing, former President of the British Hydrological Society (hence probably that original rain gauge site). It is rather obvious that those with Stevenson Screens and instrumentation in their gardens are going to be keen meteorologists and often associated with meteorological institutions. This does though, also suggest that they should know how to site their equipment to the best possible standard. It is not for me to instruct anyone how to go about their business but it does seem strange to have located the screen where it currently is when they appear to have a large open space to the east to set up a very good site. It appears the Met Office have adopted this site’s readings on no more grounds than it is there, a common theme that I am noting throughout the country with these amateur sites. It should be also noted that the readings record is impeccable as it should be.
The Met Office seems to be working on a principle of quantity over quality on a par with the old tailor’s phrase “Never mind the quality, feel the width”. Yet again this is not a site that I would be including in any serious reconstruction of the natural national historic temperature record.
Source: https://tallbloke.wordpress.com/2025/07/04/broadwindsor-dcnn8727-what-criterion-do-amateur-weather-stations-meet-to-be-met-office-adopted/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
