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Dr. Sytske Kimball Professor of Meteorology Department of Earth Sciences

The University of South Alabama Mesonet and its performance during the heavy rainfall event of Hurricane Ida (2009). Dr. Sytske Kimball Professor of Meteorology Department of Earth Sciences University of South Alabama. Credits: Saphique Albert, David Brown,

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Dr. Sytske Kimball Professor of Meteorology Department of Earth Sciences

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  1. The University of South Alabama Mesonet and its performance during the heavy rainfall event of Hurricane Ida (2009) Dr. Sytske Kimball Professor of Meteorology Department of Earth Sciences University of South Alabama Credits: Saphique Albert, David Brown, Sean Huber, Meghan Mee, Ivory Reinert, Russell White

  2. University of South Alabama Mesonet Geographic details 26 fully operational weather stations Average spacing between stations is about 30 km (19 miles) Stations in 13 counties in 3 states: MS (3), AL (8), and FL (2) 325 km (203 miles) in east-west direction 30-100 km (19-62 miles) in north-south direction

  3. 10 m (30 ft) 10 m (30 ft)

  4. Variables: 1.5, 2, 9.5, and 10 m temperature 2 and 10 m relative humidity 2 and 10 m horizontal wind speed and direction 10 m vertical wind speed Photsynthetically active radiation (400 – 700 nm) Total solar radiation (400 – 1100 nm, visible spectrum) Rainfall Atmospheric pressure Surface temperature Saved every minute Data collected

  5. http://chiliweb.southalabama.edu/ Archived data (csv Excel files) (Near) real-time data Time series Station map Meta-data (station photos etc) Website

  6. Texas Electronics TE525 90 cm

  7. Hydrological Services TB3 90 cm

  8. Hurricane Ida History • Entered the Gulf of Mexico early on 9 November 2009 , encountered strong shear, and weakened to a tropical storm. • Regained hurricane strength at 1800Z (12:00 CST) on 9 November while approaching the mouth of the Mississippi River. • Weakened 6 hours later to a tropical storm due to cooler water and vertical shear associated with a short-wave trough. • Turned northeast and became extra-tropical about 3 hours before making landfall on the Alabama coast (Dauphin Island) at around 10:40Z (05:40 CST) on 10 November 2009.

  9. GOES-12 visible image from 9 Nov 2009 at 1225 UTC (6:25 a.m. CST)

  10. Hurricane Ida (Nov 2009)

  11. KMOB WSR-88D derived rainfall totals (inch) from 23:47Z (17:47 CST) on 8 Nov 2009 to 17:02Z (11:02 CST) on 10 Nov 2009

  12. Flooding along the Fish Riverin South Baldwin County, AL

  13. Radar 17:45 CST 8 Nov 11:02 CST 10 Nov KMOB Gauges: 07:00 CST 09 Nov 07:00 CST 11 Nov

  14. Rain gauge rainfall totals (mm) from 13:00Z (07:00 CST) on 9 Nov 2009 to 13:00Z (07:00 CST) on 11 Nov 2009

  15. Providers ASOS Various MADIS CoCoRAHS USA Mesonet 2 National Estuary Program (NEP) sites

  16. USA Mesonet Rainfall totals (mm) Foley Elberta Weeks Bay

  17. Flooding at the mouth of Weeks Bayin South Baldwin County, AL

  18. Foley, Baldwin Co., AL

  19. Flash Flood Guidance • an indication of the amount of rainfall over a period of time necessary to cause small streams to overflow their natural banks • based on an estimate of average soil moisture and stream flow conditions in a given county • e.g. if the 3-hour FFG = 2.5“ then flooding should begin on small streams if that amount or more falls in a 3-h period • issued twice daily at about 11 am and 9 pm CST

  20. Foley, hourly rainfall on the hour

  21. Foley, 3-hourly rainfall on the hour

  22. Foley, 3-hourly rainfall by the minute

  23. Foley, 6-hourly rainfall on the hour

  24. Foley, 6-hourly rainfall by the minute

  25. Conclusions • It can be challenging to issue flood warnings when relying just on ASOS observations • ASOS locations are spaced relatively far apart • ASOS rainfall totals are not always provided on a regular (e.g. hourly or better) basis • ASOS’s often go out in bad weather • Mesonet data are helpful because they are available at finer spatial and temporal resolutions • Flash flood warnings would improve further if FFG products were available more frequently

  26. Thank You!! http://chiliweb.southalabama.edu/ skimball@usouthal.edu

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