PENN YAN'S TEMPERATURE TROUBLES

Written by: Bob Metcalfe

Weather nerds may find this post a bit comical, others maybe somewhat interesting. In the world of forecasting, meteorologists are always looking for inaccuracies in data, either from observations or from our forecast models. This is what we are trained to do, and sometimes in a sea of data, it can be hard to spot.

But over the past few days, there has been bogus readings that have stuck out like a sore thumb. Apparently the temperature sensor at the automated station in Penn Yan is having some major troubles. Here's an example.

Last nights low for Penn Yan: 29 degrees
Last nights low for Rochester: 4 degrees

Yes, there can be localized differences based on extreme circumstances... but a 25 degree difference without any presence of a cold front or notable differences in cloud cover or precipitation. Something's fishy.

And on Friday, the 23rd, their high temperature was supposedly 54 degrees. Rochester: 45. It's feasible under certain conditions, but I'd be willing to bed they did not hit 54 at all on Friday.

We contacted the NWS office in Binghamton and they said "It looks off, we'll go check it out next week."

Looks off. Way off! And that's a little weather humor for you!