The first meteorological observations at a tropical high elevation site: Antisana, 1846

Abstract

Antisana is a stratovolcano with an associated glacier located in the Ecuadorian Andes. Dr Aguirre made meteorological readings every day, at every hour from sunrise to sunset, from December 1845 to December 1846, at Antisana using a meteorological station at 4060 mamsl (meters above mean sea level). Unfortunately, only the monthly average data have been preserved. These meteorological data are here studied and compared with the closest modern stations for monthly values of temperature, rainfall, and pressure. According to these comparisons, the year 1846 was rainy and cold in comparison with the current climate. Moreover, these observations have been useful to help resolve a debate about a possible El Niño event in 1846 with the high precipitation in Antisana and Quito in 1846 discarding the occurrence of an El Niño event. The probable occurrence of a La Niña event is discussed. These data are the earliest known systematic instrumental meteorological observations taken at above 4000 mamsl.