The Sede-Boqer meteorological observation site, established in 1977, is
located in the Negev highlands, Israel, at the north-easterly corner of the
Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
(30.86 N, 34.78 E, 480 m.a.s.l). Measurements are made over a bare loess soil,
having a fetch of ~500 m to the NNW, the prevailing wind direction. Since 1996
data is digitally stored and diurnal data is available.
Mean annual depth of precipitation at the site is 90 mm. The ratio of
precipitation to potential evaporation (P/PET) is 0.04-0.05. Annual mean
temperature is 18 °C, average daily minimum temperature ranges between 6 and 8
°C in January, and daily maximum temperature ranges between 32 and 34 °C in
August. Average relative humidity at 14:00 (local time) is between 20 and 30%,
with pronounced diurnal dynamics due to the sea breeze from the Mediterranean
Sea.
Measurements of the following variables are available at hourly,
daily, monthly, and yearly averages (10 minute averages are available on
request):
- Air temperature (2 m )
- Relative humidity (2 m)
- Vapor pressure (2 m)
- Wind speed (3.5 & 10 m)
- Wind direction (10 m)
- Surface temperature
- Soil temperature (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 & 1.0 m)
- Barometric pressure (0.5 m)
- Solar radiation: Beam, Global, Diffuse & Infra-red
- Precipitation
In addition, daily values (08:00-08:00 local time) of the following
parameters are available:
- Maximum wind speed (3.5 & 10 m)
- Maximum & minimum air and surface temperatures
- Total precipitation
- Total evaporation (A Class Pan)
Important note: Until December 22, 2012 the station was
located ~500 m to the south from its current position. On Dec 22, 2012,
measurements were ceased and the station was moved to its current position.
Measurements were renewed in June 2012.
Contact
Scientific queries should be addressed to Dr.
Nurit Agam
Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research
Ben-Gurion
University of the Negev
Sede Boqer Campus, 849900, Israel
Office:
+972-8-6563471
Fax: +972-8-6596757
E-mail: agam@bgu.ac.il
Technical queries should be addressed to Mr. David Klepatch
Office:
+972-8-65969816
Mobile: +972-52-5793097
E-mail: klepach@bgu.ac.il
