WRMC-BSRN


Please always check our Errata and Updates page

Welcome to the World Radiation Monitoring Center (WRMC), the central archive of the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). All radiation measurements are stored together with collocated surface and upper-air meteorological observations and station metadata in an integrated database. These pages offer both: Information for all scientists who will use BSRN-data as well as information to any station scientist who delivers data.

BSRN is a project of the Opens external link in new windowData and Analysis Panel from the Global Energy and Water Exchange (GEWEX) and as such is aimed at detecting important changes in the Earth's radiation field at the Earth's surface which may be related to climate changes.

The data are of primary importance in supporting the validation and confirmation of satellite and computer model estimates of these quantities. At a small number of stations (currently 76 in total, 51 active, 9 declared as inactive, 16 are closed) in contrasting climatic zones, covering a latitude range from 80°N to 90°S (see station maps), solar and atmospheric radiation is measured with instruments of the highest available accuracy and with high time resolution (1 to 3 minutes).

In 2022 the BSRN renewed its engagement in Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) activities, and has been designated as a GCOS recognized network for global surface radiation measurements. Since 2011 the BSRN and the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) established a formal agreement to become cooperative networks.