Izaña (Tenerife)

-MET-

Station Characteristics Name : Izaña (Tenerife) Country : Spain GAW Category : Global Platform : Ground base Location : 28.30ºN   16.50ºW   2367m a.m.s.l. Time Zone : 0 Address : Organization : Izana Atmospheric Research Center, Meteorological State Agency of Spain (AEMET) Description : The Izaña station is located on the Island of Tenerife, Spain, roughly 300 km west of the African coast. The meteorological observatory is situated on a mountain platform , 15 km north-east of the volcano Teide (3718 m a.s.l.). The local wind field at the site is dominated by north-westerly winds. A predominant meteorological attribute of the Canary Islands region is the presence of the trade wind inversion that persists through most of the year and is well below the altitude of the station. The ground in the vicinity around Izaña is loosely covered with light volcanic soil. The vegetation in the surrounding area is sparse, consisting mainly of broom. About 100 m south of the station a road leads to the meteorological observatory, and also serves the astrophysical institute of the Canaries and a nearby military camp. Because the road is closed to public traffic, only approximately 5 to 10 cars a day pass the vicinity.