1 / 25

Building the Georgia Mesonet

Building the Georgia Mesonet. A Step Toward a National Cooperative Mesonet. Lans P. Rothfusz Meteorologist in Charge Peachtree City, Georgia. What is a Mesonet?. Combination of “mesoscale” and “network.” “ Meso scale” = small-scale weather events Smoke plumes Thunderstorms Wind gusts

thurston
Download Presentation

Building the Georgia Mesonet

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Building the Georgia Mesonet A Step Toward a National Cooperative Mesonet Lans P. Rothfusz Meteorologist in Charge Peachtree City, Georgia

  2. What is a Mesonet? • Combination of “mesoscale” and “network.” • “Mesoscale” = small-scale weather events • Smoke plumes • Thunderstorms • Wind gusts • Wind shifts • Flash floods. • “Network” = an interconnected system.

  3. What is a Mesonet? • “Mesonet” = a system of sensors designed to measure the environment at the size and duration of mesoscale events. Sensor coverage in the Oklahoma Mesonet.

  4. What Do We Have Now? • Mesonets in Georgia • Univ. of Georgia • GDOT • GEPD • Georgia Forestry • U.S. Forest Service • USGS • EPA • NWS & FAA

  5. What We Have Now… • Sensors radically different. • Locations are not optimal. • Each has gaps in coverage. • Some do not collect in real-time. • Data not compiled and shared. • NWS: A need to modernize its program!

  6. NWS Cooperative Observer Program • Existing system = Volunteers • Precip and temperature twice/day for national climate record.

  7. NWS Cooperative Observer Program • Strengths • Historical record. • Time-tested methods. • Weaknesses • Attrition. • High-maintenance QC. • Lack of real-time data.

  8. NWS “Coop” Modernization • Automated. • High-density (1 sensor/20 miles). • Additional data (wind, air and soil moisture, etc.). • High temporal resolution (every 15-minutes). • Real-time, QC-ed data. • Expandable and adaptable infrastructure.

  9. How Will We Do This? • Capitalize on existing networks & communications. • Accomplished by a consortium of “Mesonet Partners.” • NWS/NOAA seed $$$!!! • Georgia = national prototype.

  10. Partners Already Involved… State GBI GDOT* GEPD* GFC* GEMA State Climatologist Academia Univ. of Georgia* GA Tech Federal USFS* USGS* CDC Other EM Assoc. of GA *Have a mesonet.

  11. Connecting the Network Other States Other States Mesonet Stations NLETS NLETS Control (Phoenix) GBI Mesonet Partner CJIS Repeaters NWS ftp, web, etc. Mesonet Partner Central Collection QC, Distribute, Archive Mesonet Partner

  12. Why is a Mesonet Needed? • Benefits are many and varied. • Protection and enhancement of life, property, and the economic welfare of the state.

  13. Benefits of a Mesonet • Enhanced monitoring & modeling of biohazard (BCRNE) plume dispersion. • Better support in man-made and natural hazard events.

  14. Benefits of a Mesonet • Better real-time EM incident commands centers.

  15. Benefits of a Mesonet • Improved severe weather warnings (especially damaging winds and tornadoes).

  16. Benefits of a Mesonet • Greater success in winter weather forecasting (e.g., ice locations and snow amounts).

  17. Benefits of a Mesonet • More effective drought monitoring and water resource management.

  18. Benefits of a Mesonet • Improved support for agricultural decision makers.

  19. Benefits of a Mesonet • Better monitoring & forecasting of controlled and uncontrolled burns in forest management.

  20. Benefits of a Mesonet • Education applications for grades K-12. • Research opportunities for universities and private companies.

  21. Benefits of a Mesonet • Power generation savings for utilities.

  22. Benefits of a Mesonet • Data for epidemiological and forensic analysis.

  23. Benefits of a Mesonet • Data, data, data!!! • Weather and hydrologic. • Made available in a variety of formats.

  24. The Vision • A Network of Networks • A station every 20 miles (1/county). • Data collected every 15 minutes. • Centralized data collection. • Thorough QC (for national climate record). • Data available to all. • A safer, more responsive, secure, and capable Georgia.

  25. Summary • A statewide network of high-quality weather/water sensors is coming. • 15-minute data in real-time at 20-mile spacing. • Benefits are significant and numerous. • Partners still welcome!!

More Related