Good read on the ABC today about Australia's declining weather observation stations - and the important work that historical climatologists like Linden Ashcroft do, unearthing old records of weather obs.

As a kid, my family kept daily rainfall observations - it was always fascinating looking at the old records.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-19/australias-shrinking-rainfall-observation-network/106502184

#Weather #Climate #WeatherAndClimate #Australia #YourABC

The quiet disappearance of Australia's rainfall observation network

For more than 60 years, Frank Pritchard has diligently checked the weather, adding to a record that stretches back more than a century. But he's part of a quietly shrinking network of observers around Australia. Without it, scientists say we risk missing out on important information that could help improve weather forecast models and climate projections.

@michcampbell Interestingly though, BoM don't really want to take observations from home weather stations. I've been running one for over 15 years now and contribute to various other weather services, but BoM, nup, no way to send my data there.
@david very odd, as I think the network includes ~5000 volunteer weather observers. Maybe they have enough of a density of observations where you live? It's a shame though, more data is more data!

@michcampbell It is also possible I just haven't found how to get the data to BoM.

The UK Met Office has an easy API.

@david MOAR DATA 🥰👏