New report suggests U.S. temperature record is unreliable

AUGUSTA, Ga. - A new report by meteorologist Anthony Watts suggests the bulk of weather observation stations in the United States are reporting erroneously warm temperatures. His comprehensive study found that nearly 9 of every 10 weather observation stations produce unreliable temperature data as defined by the National Weather Service.

The conclusion of the report is significant. Meteorologists generally agree that global weather records show a 1 degree Fahrenheit rise in earth-averaged annual surface temperature over the past century. Anthony Watts, Is the U.S. Surface Temperature Record Reliable? Chicago, IL: The Heartland Institute, 2009, suggests that at least in this country, much of the rise in reported temperatures could be a result of poorly sited weather stations. The National Weather Service requires that stations must be about 100 feet or more away from an artificial heat source or something that could reflect energy towards the thermometer. Watts concludes that 89% of stations surveyed by his team fail this requirement.

The study can be considered a landmark, grassroots effort to help determine whether global warming is as much of an immediate concern as some have argued. Watts, a broadcast meteorologist who now owns a weather products and services company, conceived the study after conducting research to determine whether a change in the paint used on weather stations in the 1970s could effect temperature readings. Watts found that the latex paint now used on weather stations can change the daily average temperature by as much 1 degree Fahrenheit as compared to the previously used whitewash.

Watts consulted with Dr. Roger Pielke, Sr. of Colorado State University to develop a program to survey all 1,221 weather stations in the U.S. Climate Monitoring network. Volunteers from all over the country personally visit, photograph, and survey each weather station, and Watts' report online provides photos and details from each of these visits. Each station is rated Class 1 (meets all NWS site requirements) to Class 5 (expected error greater than 10 degrees Fahrenheit due to poor siting).

The study concludes the biggest problem impacting weather observation stations is their proximity to artificial heat sources or sources that can reflect heat towards the thermometer. Watts found that newer weather stations are often installed much closer to nearby heat sources compared to older stations.

Local stations in the study include:

Warrenton, rated Class 3 due to parking lot within 43 feet of the weather station.

Washington, rated Class 3 due to a building within 35 feet of the weather station and shading/wind issues.

Orangeburg, Rated Class 4 due to a parking lot and building within 35 feet of the weather station.

Click here for specific information about any weather station in the survey.

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