Abstract:Based on the two series data of daily temperature from 2004 to 2006 in Hengyang, Changning and Nanyue weather stations, the difference between the automatic recording and manual observation is studied by using correlation analysis and deviation comparison method. The results show that (1) the temperatures from the automatic recording and manual observation are both stable, and no huge systematic deviation is available; the difference between the two temperatures at Hengyang station is small, while at Nanyue and Changning station, the differences are obvious. (2) The hourly difference between the two temperatures shows 'single peak value' model, with the maximum value appears at 11:00 in the morning, the minimum at 20:00. The main reason of the difference is the changing degree of the temperatures, a little lagging is possible. (3) In specific hourly observations, the difference between them changes with the real temperature values, the automatic records are higher than manual observations at 08:00 and 14:00 but lower at 02:00 and 20:00. (4) The average monthly difference between automatic and manual records is negligcble according to the standard of the criterion for surface meteorological observation. However, the temperature from the automatic instrument at Changning station is often higher than that from manual observation; the difference between them changes widely, especially in spring and summer.