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07.07.2026

A trace in history: Agrometeorological Station Vasilevichi recognised as a WMO Centennial Station!

In July 2026, the Agrometeorological Station Vasilevichi officially received the status of a "Centennial Observing Station of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)". Now, AS Vasilevichi is the first station in the Republic of Belarus to be awarded such a high international recognition.

This has undoubtedly become possible thanks to the work of the station staff, the Belhydromet team, the Advisory Committee for the Recognition of Long-Term Observing Stations, and the WMO Secretariat.

Historical background.

The station traces its history back to 8 July 1878, when observations were initiated within the framework of the Western Expedition for the Drainage of the Pripet Marshes, led by Lieutenant General Iosif Zhilinsky. An invaluable contribution to the organisation of meteorological observations and the introduction of new instruments and equipment was made by Magnus Johann von Hedemann, a Danish subject who served as the first observer at the Vasilevichi station.

Historical photo of the meteorological ground at Vasilevichi station

For more than 145 years, the station has been conducting continuous meteorological observations, maintaining the homogeneity of its climate data series. Interruptions in operations occurred only during the period from 1918 to 1922.

Since 1983, the station has been a reference climatic station with a centennial observation series and is included in the Global Climate Observing Network (GCOS).

Observation materials from the station were used by Professor Alexander Voyeykov in his article "The Climate of Polesie", published in the collection "Essay on the Work of the Western Expedition for the Drainage of the Marshes", which was released in 1899.

Today, the station conducts meteorological, actinometric, agrometeorological and hydrological observations, including evaporation from water surface. Meteorological information obtained from the observations participates in international data exchange.

Agrometeorological Station Vasilevichi, 2016

We sincerely thank the WMO for its support and congratulate the team of the Agrometeorological Station Vasilevichi on this well-deserved international recognition!