Meteorological observatory changes from visual observation to automatic observation at 16:52 on February 3

The Meteorological Agency switched the observation of weather and meteorological phenomena, which were conducted visually by meteorological staff at various times every day, to automatic observation by machine except in some areas. "Sunny" or "light cloudy" that cannot be distinguished by machine will not be recorded in the future.

Observation goes from visual to automatic

At local meteorological observatories and weather stations nationwide, employees have been observing weather phenomena such as weather and visual distance at a fixed time every day, but with the improvement of observation technology using weather satellites and radar, etc. Last year, eight local meteorological stations in Kanto Koshin switched to automatic observation by machine.

On March 3, visual observations were also abolished at 37 local meteorological stations and two weather stations nationwide, and switched to automatic observation.

Visual observations can be continued at 11 meteorological observatories in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and other districts and Nagoya, Hiroshima and Takamatsu in total.

"Sunny" and "light cloudy" disappear

By changing from a human eye to a machine, "clear" and "light cloudy", which were distinguished by the amount of clouds, disappear, and are announced as "clear" and "cloudy", respectively.

In addition, phenomena such as "Niji" and "Saiun" will end the observation itself,

初 Hatsuyuki is a machine,
初 “First frost”, “first ice”, and “first snow covered” are visually observed as before.

Kosa will end its visual observations but will continue to announce forecasts based on meteorological satellite observations and analysis data.

The Japan Meteorological Agency states that forecasters will visually check the situation when a disaster is expected, and that there is no impact on disaster response.

It is the curtain for visual observation from Meiji Kushiro Regional Meteorological Observatory

The weather and meteorological phenomena that have been observed and observed by the Meteorological Agency's staff until now, such as `` sunny weather '', `` hail '', and `` niji '', have been automated at most weather stations except for the District Meteorological Station from March 3 At the Kushiro Regional Meteorological Observatory, the last observations were made using a method that lasted for more than 130 years.

At the Kushiro Regional Meteorological Observatory, staff had been observing the weather and weather phenomena by visual observation for 131 years from 1902, but with the advancement of technologies such as weather radar and satellites, the machine began operating at noon on the 3rd. Switched to automatic observation using.

In the morning, the last visual observation was made, with staff observing the sky and distant landscapes, checking the weather, the amount of clouds, and the range of view.

Automated observations were carried out at eight meteorological observatories in Kanto Koshin except Tokyo from February last year, and started on March 3 at 39 meteorological observatories and weather stations, except 11 nationwide, including regional meteorological observatories.

As a result of the automation, visual observations of "clear weather", "hail", "niji", "tornado" and "Kosa" have been completed. However, if it is necessary for disaster prevention, such as when a tornado or yellow sand is expected, the staff will monitor the situation visually.

"Our observations for 130 years have been lost and there is some loneliness, but we can provide uniform and continuous high-quality data. We will continue to observe weather information on disaster prevention visually. So I want you to continue using it effectively. "

"Sunny weather" ends with automated observation Miyazaki

The weather and meteorological phenomena, which were directly observed and visually confirmed by the Meteorological Agency's staff, were switched to automatic observation by machine from March 3, and the last observation was made visually at the weather station in Miyazaki City.

At noon on March 3 at the Miyazaki Regional Meteorological Observatory in Miyazaki City, staff members visually checked the sky on the roof and finally switched to automatic observation at 3:00 pm.

In the visual observation, for example, when the amount of clouds in the sky was less than 10%, it was distinguished from "sunny" and "clear", but with automatic observation, it was not possible to finely determine how much clouds were in the sky. Sunny ".

According to the weather station, in addition to what was made possible by the advancement of technology,
中 で It means that the observation was automated to strengthen disaster prevention work while the weather station staff was limited.

"I think it is a trend of the times such as technological progress, but I have been looking at the sky for 35 years since entering the Meteorological Agency, so I feel a little lonely." I was talking.

Miyazaki's "Japanese Hinata" PR ...

Miyazaki Prefecture, which has been promoting "Hinata in Japan" based on observation data such as "sunny weather", will continue to send out a warm climate even if the base data is no longer observed by automation.

Miyazaki Prefecture has been engaged in various promotional activities since five years ago, expressing the country's warmest climate with the catchphrase "Japanese Hinata", attracting tourists and immigrants, and selling specialty products.

Based on the Japan Meteorological Agency's "average temperature," "sunshine hours," and "sunny days," the data is used to calculate the "Hinata Index," which is uniquely set for a warm climate.

One of the pillars of the "Hinata Index", "Sunny days" will not be understood by the automation of observation, but the prefecture will continue to promote a warm climate in the future.

“I was honestly surprised when I heard, but the lack of sunny days does not mean that the warm climate of Miyazaki will not go away. From now on, I want to spread the charm of "Hinata in Japan" including personality. "