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Malin Head weather station automates 04.02.10
by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent
MALIN HEAD weather station, one of the oldest in the
country, will soon be going automated - ending 125
years of being a manned station.
Senior meteorological officer Martin Haran confirmed
the move noting that “it’s an ongoing situation,
most inland stations are now automated. It’s the
march of new technology.”
The station had six employees at the start of the
month with three being redeployed, two to Dublin and
one to Valentia observatory in County Kerry. The
three remaining workers will have the option of
staying in Met Éireann if they wish.
“The automated service will provide the same
scientific data, pressure, temperature, wind speed,”
Mr Haran said. “It will continuously read into a
data logger and head station will have minutely
access. It’s very efficient.” |
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The current buildings
were constructed in 1955 when regular hourly
observations began by Irish Meteorological Service
personnel. However the station's records date back
to 1885. Lloyd’s Insurance Company manned and
operated a local coastal signal station and were the
first to transmit and prepare regular |
weather reports. Coastguard officers continued this
work until the early 1920s. From the 1920s to 1955 a
local family was contracted to provide climate data
and at least one weather report each day.
Over the years, storm force 12 winds have been
recorded frequently at the station. The highest
measured gust to date is 98 knots (113 mph) recorded
on September 16, 1961 when the remnants of Hurricane
Debbie swept up along the west coast of the country
causing widespread damage.
Reflecting on his 19 years working in Malin Head,
Martin noted: “Night duty can be very interesting.
I’ve seen the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights,
twice here in 19 years. It’s a beautiful spectacle.” |
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