For each field season, a compilation was made of all manual weather observations and measurements. These included observations of cloud type, extent (in tenths) and height; precipitation timing and type; notation of current weather; and subjective comments recorded in field books. In most cases, the subjective comments are directly transcribed, in field vernacular, to convey the subjective impression felt at the time. These observations were primarily, although not exclusively, made during normal waking hours; observations were primarily made in the vicinity of camp, but also conducted on trips to Echo station or elsewhere. Weather observations have been compiled chronologically for each of the three years (see below). The 1992 observations are significantly more comprehensive.
The purpose of the observations was to provide a cross-check on the electronic measurements (indicating, for example, when riming might be a problem), to record subjective comments about the weather on any given day, and for future uses of the data, including analysis of synoptic weather maps and analysis of cloud-radiation interactions.