Technicians from several government agencies and national park rangers have established four automated meteorological stations at four sites above 3,000m on Yushan (玉山), Hsuehshan (雪山) and Taoshan (桃山), the Central Weather Bureau said on Wednesday.
Surveying the sites and installing equipment for the stations — one in Yushan’s Fongkuo (風口), two in Hsuehshan’s Cyuangu (圈谷) and East Peak (東峰) and one on Taoshan — was a feat of endurance and skill that required personnel to hike several hours on foot in difficult conditions, the bureau said.
The bureau said it collaborated with the Yushan National Park Administration, the Shei-Pa National Park Administration and the Ministry of the Interior’s Construction and Planning Agency to establish the stations so that it could provide people visiting the regions with up-to-date and accurate meteorological data to better protect their safety.
Photo courtesy of the Central Weather Bureau
Before the most recent installations, there were 499 automated stations in Taiwan, the bureau said, adding that the installation of high-altitude stations is rare because of the environmental challenges.
Automated stations at altitudes above 1,500m comprised 8 percent of the nation’s total, while stations above 3,000m made up a mere 1 percent of all stations, the bureau added.
The meteorological data gathered by the stations are to be displayed under “Recreation - Mountain Climbing” on the bureau’s Web site (www.cwb.gov.tw/eng), on weather monitors at Yushan’s Paiyun Lodge (排雲山莊) and on additional monitors to be installed at Hueshan’s entry service point, the bureau said.
Preparation for establishing the stations began early last year, and included site surveys and wireless communication feasibility studies, the bureau said, adding that the installation team expressed its gratitude to the government and civilian experts who assisted with the project.
Volunteers and park rangers will maintain the stations’ equipment, it added.
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