Evaluation of Seasonal High Resolution Automated Weather Station (AWS) Data and its Impact on Society and Sustainability – A Case Study at Jahangirnagar University Campus

Abstract

The research focuses on location-specific monitoring and evaluation of high-resolution Automated Weather Station (AWS) data at Jahangirnagar University to interpret local climate conditions and assess the microdynamic impacts of climate variability. The study analyzes seasonal patterns in key weather parameters using AWS observations, emphasizing their microclimatic implications and relevance for climate resilience planning. High-resolution weather parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed, air pressure, and solar radiation, were analyzed using AWS data. To validate the findings, the AWS data were compared with historical climate records from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The results reveal clear seasonal variations in climatic parameters. Temperatures reached up to 36°C during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons and dropped to about 13°C in winter. Relative humidity was highest during the monsoon season and lowest in winter. Precipitation followed typical monsoon patterns, while wind speed and solar radiation showed seasonal variability influenced by atmospheric pressure systems and cloud cover. Medical survey data from Jahangirnagar University also indicated that during the pre-monsoon period, students experienced significant heat-related health issues, including vomiting, severe headaches, unconsciousness, high fever, and other heat-induced illnesses due to extreme temperatures. These findings contribute to a better understanding of local climate dynamics and support decision-making in agriculture, water resource management, disaster preparedness, and urban planning. The study highlights the importance of granular, location-based weather monitoring. It also demonstrates that high-resolution AWS data provide more reliable and detailed climate information than conventional records from BMD. Such data can significantly support climate monitoring, sustainable development, community resilience, and climate-adaptive policymaking in Bangladesh.