AWS has recorded 52.9 degree Celsius at Mungeshpur station in Delhi and 56 degrees Celsius at Ramdaspeth in Nagpur.

• Nearby stations to these areas have recorded comparatively low temperatures and raise concern about wrong readings.

About AWS

• Defined as a “meteorological station at which observations are made and transmitted automatically”.
• The four sensors are used for normal AWS –Wind sensors, temperature humidity sensors, pressure sensors and rainfall sensors.
• The air temperature is measured using an electrical resistance thermometer in degrees Celsius.
  • Electrical-resistance thermometers operate on the principle that electrical resistance varies with changes in temperature. 

Challenges with AWS

• Beyond a certain temperature threshold, the accuracy of recordings becomes unreliable.
• Improper calibration of the sensors.
• Improper placement of AWS units on concrete structures and lack of regular maintenance.

Other heat measuring device

• High temperature can be measured by placing a thermometer in a Stevenson Screen.
  • Stevenson Screen is  a wooden enclosure designed to shield meteorological instruments from precipitation and direct heat radiation while enabling free circulation of air around them.