Surface meteorological monitoring network at mesoscale β, γ and microscale α quality, reliability and representativeness requirements

This paper presents the key aspects of Climate Network, a meteo-climatological network aimed at providing quality data to technical applications of meteorology and climatology in Italy. Because of its climatological aim, Climate Network is subject to design and operation requirements beyond those of conventional meteorological networks. In particular systematic metadata collection, key instruments traceable alignment to standards, long-term instrument behavior and computing practices are addressed. Adoption of innovative instruments has forced to take into account aspects not typical of conventional meteorological stations and network, at any level of the data acquisition, processing and use process.