Isabela automated weather station helps nat’l forecasts

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya  –  Isabela, the country’s third largest province and one of the typhoon-prone areas, now has a new weather measuring device to assist the national government’s weather bureau in its weather forecasting.

Called an automated weather station (AWS), the device will enable the provincial government to track down weather disturbances that may pass through the province, giving it ample time to prepare and thus prevent loss of lives and properties.

The solar-powered device, given free by the League of Provinces in the Philippines, was installed at the operations center of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council at the provincial capitol in Ilagan City.

The AWS was provided in coordination with Weather Philippines Foundation, a non-governmental organization, to help monitor weather disturbances in the province, which is frequently visited by tropical storms.

The AWS is installed with an anemometer to track wind direction and measure its velocity, a barometer to measure air pressure, thermometer to measure temperature, an ultraviolet sensor, and a rain gauge.