Opening of the meeting	Attendees at the meeting	Presentation by Cap Vuerich

Presentation of Technical Aspects of the RI Intercomparison presented by Dr E. Vuerich  (WMO Intercomparison site manager), with Dr C. Monesi (data analysis expert) and Eng. L. Stagi (laboratory site manager).
Details outlined about the Intercomparison included:

• A specially designed and dedicated observation site, designed by Dr Vuerich and and by the collaboration with ECOSEARCH company (Italian Official Representative for Campbell Scientific);

• The location of the site is next to Lake Bracciano, a caldera lake of about 15km dia., near Rome;

• The site has approx. 1000mm per year of rain, with particularly heavy rainfall in Spring and Autumn;

• There are 30 Rain Gauge Intensity Instruments, plus ancillary instruments;

• A 4 fold pit containing the reference instruments;

• WMO recommendations have been followed for all aspects of the site configuration, design and quality control;

• The project includes the use of a unique portable calibration device designed by the University of Genoa.

• The project was started in October 2007 and will continue for 12 months.

More detailed information is available in Dr Vuerich's excellent presentation, available here, including a plan of the site with positions of instruments.

Documentation of the Intercomparison will be published online for future reference for other Intercomparisons of this type.

The site appears to be excellent, as was noted by the manufacturer participants. The organisation and efficiency of the arrangements likewise, with very good emphasis on quality control and communication with the manufacturers.

Dr Vuerich noted that there have already been a good variety and intensity of precipitation events already since October last year, which will allow for a good Intercomparison for the various makes and methods of instruments on the site. Indeed the the evening of the arrival of the participants of this ,meeting, the 20-21 May, had the best rainfall event since the start of the Intercomparison with 160mm per hour recorded.
 

Visit to the Italian Air Force Historic Museum
The participants were given a very interesting tour of the Vigna di Valle museum which has aircraft from the beginning of air transport in Italy and indeed the world.

Guided tour of the Aviation Museum

Lunch - Wednesday 21st May
The meeting participants, as guests of the Italian Air Force, were treated to an excellent lunch, at a local restaurant which featured all local produce.

Visit to the RESMA center (The Intercomparison Site)
Photos of this visit are below.

Intercomparison Site, view to lake	Site, with attendees of meeting	Site with Cap. Vuerich	Site with view of Instruments

Scheduled Technical Sessions for Participating Manufacturers
Each manufacturer was given an individual session to discuss operational, quality aspects and technical issues with the Intercomparison staff.

These sessions are part of the excellent communication established with the instrument manufacturers, and will no doubt contribute significantly to improved data analysis, the success of the Intercomparison and the usefulness of it for the manufactures.

Future Intercomparisons
The quality of the site, and the fact that it is a dedicated site for Intercomparisons, as well as the dedication of the staff, do indicate that the site may be useful for other Intercomparisons. HMEI would look forward to working with any future Intercomparisons held there.

Close of Meeting
The meeting closed at 17.00 on Thursday, 22 May 2008.

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