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The Weipa Meteorological Office was opened in December
1992 following the closure of the Met. Office on Thursday
Island. Weather observations had been taken at Weipa
airport by Department of Transport (now AirServices
Australia) staff since March 1972. The Bureau office was
previously occupied by Department of Transport Flight
Service Unit staff. The initial observational program was
similar to that previously undertaken at Thursday Island,
being surface observations and upper-air observations -
tracking pilot balloons via theodolite and calculating
wind velocities at various levels of the atmosphere.
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Weatherwatch Radar was installed in September 1986 (Type
WF100-5C) primarily in association with AMEX (Australian
Moonson Experiment) - which was conducted in the Spring
and Summer of 1986/87. Weather radar has remained at Weipa
since that time.
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An Automatic Weather Station (AWS) was installed December
1, 1992 (Type Micromac). The AWS allows for continuous
monitoring of weather elements at the site, with routine
reports being despatched on an half-hourly schedule. If
significant weather occurs, a 'special report' will be
generated and despatched.
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Remote 'Autosonde' was installed October 27, 1998. This
facility autofills and releases weather balloons and
atmospheric sampling sensors, allowing for calculation of
vital upper wind, temperature, humidity and pressure
values over the northern Cape region.
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A new office was officially commissioned on 20 February
2001.
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Data gathered at Weipa is incorporated into scientific
models to assist with forecasts on local, state, national
and global levels. This information is also archived to
form a comprehensive climate database, which is essential
to current and ongoing research.
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Although geographically enclosed by the Cook Shire, the
administration of the town of Weipa is the responsibility
of Comalco.
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