SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Manage and maintain an operational weather station 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246538  Manage and maintain an operational weather station 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Weather 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  16 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person credited with this Unit Standard will be able to explain and use various weather instrumentation, and capture weather data. The learner will also be able to perform fault finding activities as well as monitoring of the data and the inspections of both climate and rainfall stations. The learner will also be able to deal with people involved with the weather station in various capacities.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain and use various meteorological instruments.
  • Inspect and maintain climate and rainfall stations.
  • Establish a new weather camp.
  • Analyse climate and rainfall data for quality assurance.
  • Capture weather data. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners accessing this Unit Standard are competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Unit Standard: Analyse Basic Meteorological Circulations, NQF Level 5.
  • Unit Standard: Code and Decode Meteorological Messages, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain and use various meteorological instruments. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Instruments include thermometers, pressure sensors, anemometers, rain gauges, sunshine recorder and pyranometers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use and application of temperature sensors are explained with reference to the recording of temperature. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Temperature sensors may include but are not limited to dry, wet, maximum and minimum thermometers, electronic temperature sensors, thermographs and thermohygographs. Dew point calculations are also included.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The use and application of pressure sensors are explained with reference to the recording of pressure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pressure sensors include but are not limited to mercury barometers, barographs and electronic pressure sensors.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use and application of wind sensors are explained with reference to the recording of wind direction and speed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Wind sensors may include but are not limited to pressure plate anemometers, wind totalisator and electronic wind sensors.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The use and application of rain gauges are explained with reference to the recording of rainfall. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rain gauges may include but are not limited to the standard 127mm rain gauge and electronic tipping bucket rain gauge.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The use and application of a sunshine recorder is explained with reference to the recording of sunshine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The use and application of a pyranometer is explained with reference to the recording of radiation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Inspect and maintain climate and rainfall stations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The inspections of climate and rainfall stations are carried out according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) manual on climate inspections. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-inspection check lists are completed according to South African Weather Service (SAWS) regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Inspection procedures are carried out on all meteorological instruments and meteorological instrument camps. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Meteorological instruments may include but are not limited to Stevenson screen, sunshine recorder, current temperature instruments, and current rain gauge instruments, current wind measuring instruments, current pressure instruments, Runway Visual Range (RVR), Ceilometer and determination of true north.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Meteorological instruments are maintained in order to preserve their functionality and the quality of data to be collected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The meteorological weather camp is maintained in order to preserve the natural environment for weather measurement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Post-inspection reports are completed according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) regulations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Establish a new weather camp. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The establishment of a new weather camp refers to the physical inspection of the sites, authentication, training and administrative tasks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Areas to establish a new weather camp are identified in order to find a suitable location according to World Meteorological organisation criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Authorisation to open a new weather station is obtained according to the South African Weather Service Regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A weather camp is erected according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) regulations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Erecting the weather camp includes the determination of true north.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The method and process of observation is conducted in line with standard observation procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Weather station files are created according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) regulations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Weather station files may include but are not limited to climate station type, contact details, directions, latitude and longitude position and height above sea level.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Analyse climate and rainfall data for quality assurance. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Quality Assurance techniques are to be applied according to the Regional Climate Manual.
  • The climate and rainfall variables include the following: temperature, pressure, rainfall, humidity, sunshine, clouds (height and type), wind, visibility and weather (present and past). 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Basic statistical techniques are applied to the different climate and rainfall variables. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic statistical techniques may include but are not limited to averages, means, modes and extremes.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Climatological ranges are explained for all the basic climate and rainfall variables. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Climatological ranges apply to the World Meteorological Organisation regulations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The process of receiving climate and rainfall data is explained in order for quality assurance techniques to be initiated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Quality assurance techniques are applied according to the various climate and rainfall variables. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Capture weather data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Use of the climate programme is demonstrated by the capturing weather data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The graphic output of the climate programme is used in order to correct identified spikes or ranges. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The capturing of weather data is completed in order to send it to the climate data bank. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The completion of weather data includes the physical posting of hard copies.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Monthly CLIMAT data is compiled according to World Meteorological Organisation regulations. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • The assessor assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must have BSc degree (NQF Level 6) in Meteorology/Climatology or equivalent qualification.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or will assess this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The learner must be able to communicate and understand basic scientific language.
  • The learner must be able to communicate (orally and written) in English.
  • The learner must be able to operate a computer and the Window Operating System.
  • Basic statistical knowledge. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in the establishment and running of a weather station. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities in such a way to have alternative plans available for the management and maintenance of a weather station. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using the various modes of communication available in the weather station. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to gather, store and process information pertaining to the management and maintenance of a weather station. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58995   National Certificate: Weather Observation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. South African Weather Service 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.