Coastal Monitoring Site: North Haven
Temperature data from the Fair Isle site dates back to 1979, when Dave Wheeler, a local resident and meteorologist, collected daily data using a bucket thermometer until 2000. The Fair Isle site was adopted by MSS in 2003 and after this time data
collection was automated using a minilogger recorder.
Fair Isle is an island lying half-way between the Orkney Islands and Shetland, exposed to the influences of the surrounding seas. Atlantic water enters the northern North Sea through the Fair Isle gap and this site is therefore very exposed to the influence of saline Atlantic Water. The minilogger at Fair Isle is deployed from a harbour pier. This pier is in a very sheltered position on the island, but this offers only localised protection as the rest of the island is very exposed.