BGS Virkisjökull glacier observatory data and image viewer

AWS1 at 12.00 hrs.

Images

Only visible after 3pm GMT between September and April, due to winter power-saving.

Data loggers

Battery data

Updated every three hours: 09:00 to 15:00

Data formats for the BGS Virkisjökull Glacier Observatory weather stations

  • AWS1: Automated weather station 1:
    156 m a.s.l. (16°48'19"W, 63°57'53"N)
  • AWS3: Automated weather station 3:
    444 m a.s.l. (16°47'5.64"W, 63°58'12.78"N)
  • AWS4: Automated weather station 4:
    805 m a.s.l. (16°48'7"W , 63°59'52"N)
  • ASG1: Automated stream gauge 1:
    77 m a.s.l. (16°50'54"W, 63°57'11"N)

Temperature (degrees centigrade)

Stations: AWS1, AWS3, AWS4, ASG1

AWS measure air temperature every 5 seconds and an hourly average is displayed.

ASG record water temperature in the first minute of each hour.

Relative humidity (%)

Stations: AWS1, AWS3, AWS4

Stations record every 5 seconds and an hourly average is displayed.

Wind speed (metres per second)

Stations: AWS1, AWS3, AWS4

AWS1 and 3 use a traditional anemometer measuring every 5 seconds to produce an hourly average.

AWS4 employs an ultrasonic sensor measuring every 5 seconds to produce an hourly average.

Wind speed maximum (metres per second)

Stations: AWS1, AWS3, AWS4

AWS1 and 3 use traditional anemometers measuring every 5 seconds to determine maximum speed in an hour.

AWS4 employs an ultrasonic sensor measuring every 5 seconds to determine maximum speed in an hour.

Wind direction (degrees)

Stations: AWS1, AWS3, AWS4

AWS1 and 3 use a traditional wind vane measuring every 5 seconds to produce an hourly average.

AWS4 employs an ultrasonic sensor measuring every 5 seconds to produce an hourly average.

Pressure (hectopascals)

Stations: AWS4

AWS4 records measured every 5 seconds and an hourly average is displayed.

Rainfall (millimetres per hour)

Stations: AWS1, AWS4

AWS1 uses a tipping bucket rain gauge which records numbers of 'bucket tips' to derive an hourly total.

AWS4 employs a rainfall impact sensor and converts impacts to rainfall volume to give an hourly total.

Solar flux (watts per square metre)

Stations: AWS1

AWS1 uses a pyranometer and records every 5 seconds and an hourly average is produced.

Terms and conditions

  1. The BGS gives non-exclusive permission to use its Virkisjökull weather station information free of charge, for non-commercial private study, research and educational activities, subject to you agreeing to acknowledge the information when reproducing any part of it and to compliance with any other stated terms and conditions of use.
  2. The following acknowledgement must accompany the reproduced information:
    'Reproduced with the permission of the British Geological Survey © NERC. All rights Reserved'
  3. Where the information is used as the basis of specifically generated figures, sketches, illustrations, diagrams, map extracts or cross-sections, the source of the material should be cited as follows:
    'Based upon Virkisjökull weather station information, with the permission of the British Geological Survey'.
  4. Commercial usage of the information is not permitted under these terms of use. Commercial usage of the information is permitted only subject to separate arrangements being agreed in writing with BGS.
  5. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this data, BGS gives no warranty as to the quality or accuracy of the information or its suitability for any use. All implied conditions relating to the quality or suitability of the information, and all liabilities arising from the supply or use of the information and for any reliance on results arising out of use of the information (including any liability arising in negligence) are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.