OTT Rain Gauges Used in Remote Precipitation Monitoring Stations in Andes Mountains

The completed weather station at 18,537 ft in Peru. OTT Pluvio and Parsivel can be spotted on the left and right.

There are remote monitoring locations, and REMOTE monitoring locations!

Appalachian State University, in partnership with a multitude of other universities and the National Science Foundation, has undertaken the task of installing weather monitoring stations very high up in the Andes Mountains, on the Quelccaya Icecap (18,537 ft (5,650 m) ) in Peru and at Chacaltaya (16,929 ft (5,160 m) ) in Bolivia. Both stations included the OTT Pluvio2 Weighing Precipitation Gauge and the OTT Parsivel2 Weather Laser Disdrometer.

View of the installation site in Bolivia
View of the installation site in Bolivia

Installing the weather stations at such high altitude was a challenge in itself. The Quelccaya Icecap station required over 500 lbs (225 kg) of equipment to be hauled up by foot! The stations will be helpful in improving scientific understanding of precipitation processes and patterns, the meteorological influences on chemical and isotopic properties preserved in the snow/ice, and the influence of precipitation on glacier dynamics in the region. Researchers are able to monitor weather conditions and station status via satellite telemetry so less hikes up to the station are required.

See some of the amazing photos below, and visit the Appalachian State blog to see more photos, videos, and background on the monitoring project!

Weather Station Installation at the Quelccaya Icecap in Peru

Weather Station Installation at Chacaltaya in Bolivia

Carrying galvanized steel pipe for mounting OTT weather sensors up to 18,537 ft in Peru
Carrying galvanized steel pipe for mounting OTT weather sensors up to 18,537 ft in Peru
The completed weather station at 18,537 ft in Peru. OTT Pluvio and Parsivel can be spotted in the background.
The completed weather station at 18,537 ft in Peru. OTT Pluvio and Parsivel can be spotted on the left and right.

You might also like these articles

Newsletter – SPOTTLIGHT 02/24

This is the web version of the OTT HydroMet Newsletter. If you want to receive the email, you can subscribe here by choosing 'Solutions, Products and News'.Greetings reader,A promising debut...
HydrologyMeteorologySolar Energy

Product Updates: Firmware & Software

OTT HydroMet is constantly working to improve products to meet your needs in the field. Below are the latest upgrades to our existing products. To download the files, please scroll...
HydrologyMeteorology
Car driving on black ice with data background

Advanced RWIS Drives Safer Journeys on Korean Roads

Black ice stands as one of the most formidable hazards on the road. In a proactive approach to mitigate this risk on its mountainous highways, South Korea is integrating Artificial...
Meteorology