Comments on: Lincoln – a comedy of errors

By: Richard Treadgold

Richard Treadgold — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 05:53:23 +0000

Yes, it has. I’ve never had a good look around there. I believe one of our scientists is involved with a related effort in New Zealand. I’ll talk to him and see if we can help.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:41:55 +0000

The weather stations archive at WUWT has lots of useful info

http://wattsupwiththat.com/category/weather_stations/

Also

http://www.surfacestations.org/

By: Clarence

Clarence — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:20:10 +0000

All these hundred-year-old measurements were taken for the purpose of weather forecasts, and were rounded to the nearest degree.

In any event, they were a snapshot of the minimum and maximum in the previous 24 hours – which can be more than 1.0° different than an actual daily average. These figures were then averaged monthly, and rounded again.

As sheltering trees grow, they produce progressive warming. The same effect comes from nearby population growth and the spread of concrete/tarseal. But NIWA doesn’t seem to make adjustments for any of the factors which produce a warming trend.

By: Richard Treadgold

Richard Treadgold — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:47:03 +0000

I heard a scientist comment that mercury thermometers are today virtually unchanged from the 19th Century, just as reliable and just as easy (or difficult) to read accurately. Accuracy is not greater than 0.5° and I believe, though couldn’t swear to it, that ordinary temperature readings are usually rounded to the nearest degree. Which for ordinary purposes is fine, since I don’t think we can detect a change that small anyway.

By: Quentin F

Quentin F — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:22:02 +0000

What is the accuracy of pre-1900 thermometers? Would they have been read better than +- 1/2 deg? What would have been the calibration reliability anyway? (Just comment)
Excellent Barry!

By: Mike Jowsey

Mike Jowsey — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:26:24 +0000

Barry – an excellent piece of hard work on your part to dig and dig into the nub of the obfuscation which NIWA broadcasts. Thank you for your tireless efforts.

By: Rodney Hide

Rodney Hide — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:58:17 +0000

Barry

Great work! I see some very good Parliamentary Questions in this!

Rodney