Professional paper
METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS NETWORK IN CROATIA AND WARS
Zvonko Katušin
; Državni hidrometeorološki zavod Grič 3, 41000 Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
The meteorological network in Croatia has been operating continuously since the middle of the 19 century. Wars, as signicifant historical events have a tendency to interrupt such continuity. This paper presents a diagram of the meteorological stations network development, since 1850 showing the decrease in the total number of meteorological stations during and after World War I, World War II and in the period of aggression on Croatia from 1991 to 1993. The impact of war in the period from 1991 to 1993 is presented in greater detail by a second diagram, showing an evident correlation between actual war activities and the lack of meteorological observations, damage to meteorological equipment and buildings. The horizontal and vertical distribution of meteorological stations within the meteorological network is shown for the year when the distribution was in accordance with criteria recomended by The World Meteorological Organization. If we compare the total number of meteorological stations on 31 December 1993 with the recommended optimum number of meteorological stations, (in accordance with WMO regulations) we can see that only 54.7 % stations were active.
Compared to the total number of meteorological stations before the aggression (31 December l99O) 3O.4 % stations were destroyed or incapacitated from 1991 to the end of 1993 by war activities. The direct damage (destroyed buildings and instruments of the basic meteorological network) amounts to more than US$ two million. Evidence has been collected from the participants to these events and original reports supplied by the Heads of meteorological stations are quoted. Photographs, diagrams, tables and data from our station
catalogues have been used to prepare this article. The period analysed ends on 31 December 1993.
Keywords
meteorological station; network; history; war; observation; destroy; damage; report
Hrčak ID:
68044
URI
Publication date:
15.12.1994.
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