What is the main challenge of operating RAWS in extreme climatic conditions?

Operating Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS) in extreme climatic conditions primarily presents the challenge of equipment degradation and inaccuracies in data collection due to environmental stress. In harsh environments, factors such as extreme temperatures, high winds, precipitation, and other severe weather conditions can adversely affect the physical components of the RAWS. This can lead to malfunctioning sensors, decreased accuracy in readings, and ultimately compromise the reliability of the data being collected.

The degradation of materials and electronic components can result in shortened lifespans and increased maintenance requirements, which complicates ongoing operations and necessitates more frequent inspections and repairs. Additionally, equipment that is not designed to withstand these extremes may suffer from calibration shifts, which would lead to incorrect data outputs essential for weather analyses.

In contrast, while increased power consumption, communication issues with satellites, and rapid technology obsolescence are also relevant to the overall operation of RAWS, the immediate and most pressing challenge faced in extreme conditions is the degradation of the equipment and the subsequent impact on data accuracy.