Weather equipment from the Mount Washington Observatory is now on Mount Aconcagua, installed in February by a team that included scientists and climbers. The wind speed sensor was designed to endure extreme conditions, providing crucial data about weather and water cycles in the drought-affected central Andes.
Weather equipment developed at the Mount Washington Observatory has been successfully installed on Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas, located in Argentina. A team comprising scientists and climbers reached the summit in mid-February to set up this essential equipment, designed to track weather conditions, particularly wind speed.
The wind speed sensor was specifically designed by Keith Garrett, the technology director of the observatory. Originally crafted to operate unsupervised for one year on Mount Everest, the equipment underwent maintenance after a year at Camp Four before being deployed to Aconcagua.
The instrument resembles a compact cylinder, resembling models that the Observatory creates for measuring wind in extreme cold and high-wind environments. These instruments typically require significant energy to prevent ice accumulation.
Garrett pointed out that the Everest and Aconcagua project posed challenges since the design needed to be minimized for successful deployment in isolated areas lacking power sources. Mount Washington’s extreme conditions served as the perfect training ground for the expedition, contributing to the team’s preparation by practicing equipment setup under challenging circumstances.
With the installed equipment, scientists aim to enhance weather forecasts and gather crucial data about the water cycle in the central Andes. The region has been significantly impacted by a mega-drought that began in 2010, making the data particularly vital.
“This ground-breaking scientific project will allow researchers and policymakers to better understand water resource availability as water storage in glaciers and seasonal snowpack continue to decline,” stated Baker Perry, a climatologist at the University of Nevada, emphasizing the importance of the project for understanding water resource management in the Andes.
The successful installation of wind speed equipment from the Mount Washington Observatory on Aconcagua marks a significant scientific advancement. It will provide vital data to study weather patterns and water availability in a drought-affected region. This collaboration underscores the importance of innovative technology in understanding environmental challenges.
Original Source: www.nhpr.org
