CEOP CAMP Himalayas Reference Site

Intensive meteorological observations in the Khumbu Valley, Nepal Himalayas, have been conducted since the middle 90's (Ueno et al., 1996; Tartari et al., 1999; Bertolani et al., 2000; Ueno et al., 2001; Bollasina et al., 2002; Ueno and Pokhrel, 2002) in order to provide long-term monitoring of the monsoon at high altitude. This area, being located on the windward side of the Range with respect to the Indian monsoon, is well exposed to the summer winds. The studies conducted have demonstrated that the region is a significant point of observation both of local climate and large- scale circulation. A network of Automated Weather Stations (AWSs) has been established in the Eastern Himalayas: the AWSs are located at different altitudes, over a 40 km stretch oriented approximately south to north.