New Wind Speed Equipment from NH Installed on Mount Aconcagua

Weather equipment from the Mount Washington Observatory has been installed on Mount Aconcagua, enhancing meteorological monitoring in the Andes. Developed for extreme conditions, the equipment will assist in understanding the water cycle and address water resource issues amid a mega-drought since 2010.

Weather instruments developed at the Mount Washington Observatory have been successfully installed on Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas, located in Argentina. In mid-February, a team of scientists and climbers reached the summit and deployed weather measurement equipment, crucial for monitoring conditions in this extreme environment. Notably, the wind speed sensor created by the observatory’s team is a significant addition to this project.
Keith Garrett, the observatory’s technology director, noted that this sensor was initially engineered to endure one year on Mount Everest without supervision, temporarily residing at Camp Four before its transfer to Aconcagua. The design resembles a small cylinder, specifically crafted for use in cold, high-wind conditions, which requires substantial energy to maintain an ice-free state.
Garrett explained that the primary difficulty was reducing the components to their essentials to ensure successful deployment in isolated areas with no power sources. He added that Mount Washington served as an excellent training site for climbers and scientists, who practiced equipment setup in extreme cold to prepare for both Everest and Aconcagua.
Garrett stated, “From what I know, there are very few places on the planet that even come close to the extremes and the regularity of the extremes that we experience pretty much every month of the year.” The newly installed equipment will enhance meteorological forecasts and aid scientists in understanding the central Andes’ water cycle, especially as the region has experienced a mega-drought since 2010.
Expedition leader Baker Perry remarked, “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.” The Aconcagua station will operate in conjunction with a network of other weather stations located throughout the Argentinian Andes.

The installation of advanced weather equipment on Mount Aconcagua represents a significant achievement in climatological research. The innovative wind speed sensor, engineered in New Hampshire, is designed to yield reliable data for understanding local water resources. This project is crucial for addressing ongoing challenges related to water availability as the region confronts a persistent drought since 2010.

Original Source: www.nhpr.org