Brief History of Macquarie Island Weather Observations

The observation program established by the Bureau of Meteorology in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic has been one of the foundations upon which the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) has been based. One of the main arguments for the establishment of ANARE was that meteorological observations from the data-void Antarctic and Southern Ocean region to the south of Australia would improve our understanding of those weather systems that affect Australia (Marchant et al, 2002).

However, prior to the formation of ANARE in 1947, Douglas Mawson established the first scientific station at Macquarie Island in 1911. From 1911 until 1014 he oversaw a science program that included geomagnetic observations, studies of botany, zoology and geology, and regular meteorological observations. The Commonwealth Meteorological Service (the precursor to the Bureau of Meteorology) continued the weather observations program from 1913 through until 1915. The loss of the ship Endeavour, with all hands, led to the abandonment of the early scientific station at Macquarie Island, hence, the end of the meteorological program.

The current station was established under the ANARE flag in March 1948. A continuous stream of weather observations has been undertaken since this date, allowing the development of a very good understanding of sub-Antarctic weather systems in the region. Observations that commenced in March 1948 include temperature and humidity observation using wet and dry bulb thermometers as well as a thermoHygrograph unit; precipitation observation using a 203 mm Rain Gauge; and Wind Direction, Wind Speed and Wind run observations using a Synchrotac type anemometer. Upper Air observations commenced in June 1948, using a theodolite and, in the years following World War 2, a WF2 radar to track weather balloons. A Stokes Campbell sunshine recorder was installed in July 1948, as well as a Pluviograph for measuring precipitation.

Over the years, the instruments and equipment used on Macquarie Island has changed gradually, keeping pace with developments in technology. These days, Weather Observers on the island maintain a series of automatic weather sensors to measure weather parameters, but still rely on those manual instruments mentioned in the previous paragraph to ground truth the automatic sensors. The Upper Air program now relies on Global Positioning System (GPS) Radiosondes to measure temperature and humidity in the upper atmosphere. The GPS unit in the radiosondes allows Observers on the ground to determine Wind Speed and Wind Direction to around 35 kilometers above the surface ... well into the stratosphere.