Comparative analysis of meteorological data obtained by conventional and automatic stations in Londrina-PR

The objective was to compare variables collected with a conventional meteorological station of IAPAR with an automatic station of SIMEPAR, located side by side at the experimental station of IAPAR in Londrina - PR (latitude: 23 degrees 22'S; longitude: 51 degrees 10'W and altitude: 585m). Daily data of the following meteorological variables were analyzed: rainfall (Prec), maximum (Tmax), minimum (Train) and mean (Tmed) temperature, wind speed (V), and mean relative humidity (UR med), during the period from 10/01/1999 to 12/31/2006. For data comparisons the following statistical indexes were used: determination coefficient (RI); agreement (d); maximum error (EM); absolute mean error (EAM); efficiency (EF); critical mass coefficient (CRM); square root of the normalized quadratic mean error (RMSE); systematic (Es)and random (Ea) errors. Based on the linear regressions it was concluded that there was a significant agreement for each variable measured in both stations. The largest differences were found in the maximum temperature, mean relative humidity and rainfall, with ME of 4.7 degrees C, 24.5% e21.2mm, respectively. The analyses evidenced that data obtained with the automatic meteorological station have high quality and can be used in climatological studies.