Inaccuracies in rainfall recording in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Climatic information, particularly rainfall records are important to many aspects related to agriculture, such as the assessment of crop performance. While the rainfall recording network in PNG expanded to 330 operating stations by 1970 (McAlphine et al 1983), the total number of stations since has declined. Furthermore, rainfall data also show signs that the quality of records are deteriorating. The earlier records reveal certain incorrect recording techniques reflected in missing data, such as the "Monday effect", where the rainfall of whole weekends would be recorded as a single daily fail on Monday (McAlphine et al 1983).