Adjustments cast doubt on NIWA methods

Climate Conversation Group
30 November 2009
in association with the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition (NZCSC)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hokitika weather station adjustments cast doubt on NIWA methods

Following the dramatic release of a revealing comparison between two sets of NIWA temperature records in a research project by members of the Climate Conversation Group and the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition, the researchers now show their methods.

Spokesman for the group, Richard Treadgold, said that this first “Supplementary Information” paper shows how an examination of the Hokitika station casts strong doubt on NIWA’s description last week of adjustments they made to the Wellington record.

“In the case of Wellington, NIWA decided that the 0.8ºC drop between Thorndon and Kelburn was justified because of the height difference and the relationship, based purely on similar height, between Thorndon and Wellington Airport.

“However, as many people have pointed out, you can’t make that assumption. Here we have a station almost at sea level (Hokitika South) reading (during the overlap period in the 1960s) on average 0.3ºC colder than the other one that’s 120 feet (39 metres) higher up (Hokitika Aero). So the altitude reasoning doesn’t always work.

Until NIWA release their actual adjustments, we’re speculating, since there could be valid reasons for all this. But it does look very strange at the moment,” said Mr Treadgold.

The full story is posted at the Climate Conversation Group web site, at http://www.climateconversation.wordshine.co.nz/2009/11/30/supplementary-information-hokitika/

and

http://www.nzclimatescience.org.nz/

ENDS

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