Networks and datasets

UCadMet: UCadMet is a joint meteorological network of The Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) in the heart of Sahel region in Africa. Initial in-situ observations began at the Laboratoire de Physique de l’Atmosphère et de l’Océan, Siméon Fongang (LPAOSF, École Supérieure Polytechnique, UCAD), and growing interest in these early measurements led to the creation of a continuous, high-quality monitoring network after 2017. Having an on-site, researcher-operated network provides major advantages: direct knowledge of measurement conditions, better control over data quality, the ability to adapt instrumentation and locations as needed, and valuable training that strengthens local capacity in atmospheric observation and station maintenance. UCadMet has evolved over time with the addition of new monitoring sites. Locations were chosen based on the measurement strategy, logistical feasibility, and long-term climatological representativeness. After evaluating all options, three sites were identified as optimal for the project: École Supérieure Polytechnique (UCAD), Île de Gorée, and Île de Madeleine. More information is available at the UCadMet webpage. The daily datasets are publicly available at Zenodo (Durán, 2025).

Mountain climate monitoring: Our journey in high-mountain climate monitoring began in 1998 with the installation of the first meteorological measurement stations in what was then Peñalara Natural Park. At the time, these were among the highest-altitude automated weather stations in the Iberian Peninsula. Over the years, this initial network has expanded to become the Red Meteorologica del Parque Natural de la Sierra de Guararama (RMPNSG). Thanks to the collaboration of multiple groups and institutions, the network has grown to include 13 automated stations, some of which now provide long-term, high-quality climate series (Durán et al., 2017). Furthermore, within the framework of the FIRN project and several doctoral theses from the TROPA group, we are conducting research on seasonal snowpack. This includes high-mountain manual measurement campaigns and the deployment of automated snow measurement devices, such as ultrasonic sensors and snow scales. We are also currently developing a cost-effective, automated snow depth measurement system: our improved version of the remote snow gauge, dubbed PALO (Probe for Automatic snow Layer Observations).

Stations at Ciudad Universitaria: Two automated meteorological stations have been installed at the UCM campus in Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid. The selected sites are the Royal Botanical Garden and the Faculty of Physical Sciences. Due to their proximity, these locations allow for quick access, making them ideal for testing new instrumentation and hosting student groups for educational purposes. The station at the Faculty of Physical Sciences was installed at the request of the Department of Earth Physics and Astrophysics, to which the TROPA group belongs. Its primary objectives are the acquisition of in-situ data for analysis in various meteorology and data analysis courses within the faculty's undergraduate and master's programs. Its location also facilitates educational site visits. The Royal Botanical Garden station was installed by the initiative of the TROPA group for similar educational purposes, as well as for the environmental monitoring of a site of great interest to biology and botany, among other fields. Data is available uppon request.

Networks