veðurottomat

Veðurottomat is an Icelandic term that refers to an automated weather monitoring station designed for remote or extreme environments. The device is typically compact, rugged, and supplied with sensors that record temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, precipitation, and solar radiation. Data is transmitted in real time via satellite or cellular networks to meteorological centers, enabling continuous observation in areas where human presence is limited.

The concept behind veðurottomat emerged in the early 2000s as part of Iceland’s national effort to improve the accuracy and coverage of weather forecasting. By deploying these stations on high mountain ridges, volcanic slopes, and offshore platforms, forecasters gained finer spatial resolution of atmospheric variables that influence local weather. The equipment is often solar powered, with backup batteries, and features shock‑mounts and corrosion‑resistant housings to withstand harsh weather and volcanic ash fallout.

Similar to other automated weather stations worldwide, veðurottomat feeds data into the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and Icelandic MET, where it is assimilated into numerical weather prediction models. The information is also used for aviation safety, coastal management, and scientific research on climate change and atmospheric dynamics. Esqueola’s first prototype was installed in 2005 near the Askja volcano and has since been replicated across the country, becoming a vital component of Iceland’s monitoring infrastructure.