Meteorological data are influenced by a wide variety of observational practices. Data depend on the instrument, its exposure, recording procedures and many other factors. There is a need to keep a record of all these metadata to make the best possible use of the data.
Quality Control (QC) procedures are applied to detect and identify the errors made in the process of recording, manipulating, formatting, transmitting and archiving data. Therefore, knowledge of the applied procedures will allow assessment of the validity of the observations and improve the data usage.
Homogeneity testing is performed to ensure that time fluctuations in the data are only due to the vagaries of weather and climate. Temporal homogeneity of a climate record is essential in climatological research, particularly when data are used to validate climate models, satellite estimates or to assess climate change and its associated environmental and socio-economics impacts.