Changes in Local Climate Data by Relocation of Weather Stations in South Korea
Relocation of weather station leads to changes in geographical climate factors such as latitude, longitude, elevation, topographical relief and land cover of surrounding area that inf luence on local climate. This study analyzes spatio-temporal characteristics and relationships between geographical factors such as location, topographical relief and land cover, and changes in climate data such as temperature, precipitation and wind due to relocation of 12 weather stations in South Korea. Changes in temperature and moisture are attributed to changes in land cover by the relocation. Wonju and Gumi where the stations were relocated from rural to new built-up area show increases in temperature, while temperature in Sokcho, Changwon, Cheonan, Daejeon, Gunsan and Mokpo decreased with the relocations from urban to rural area. Relative humidity in Mokpo, Gunsan and Daejeon increases due to increase in farming land. Changes in topographical relief influence on precipitation, wind and duration of sunshine. The relocation in Chungju to interior of basin led to decreases in precipitation and duration of sunshine, and Boryeong shows decrease in precipitation by the relocation from windward slope to hilly coastal area. Wind speed in Gunsan with the relocation from coastal to inland area decreased due to influence of neighboring hills. Shadow effect by neighboring building or vegetation can be attributed to changes in duration of sunshine in Gwangju and Wonju.