Mesonets: Mesoscale Weather and Climate Observations for the United States

Mahmood, Rezaul; Boyles, Ryan; Brinson, Kevin R.; Fiebrich, Christopher A.; Foster, Stuart A.; Hubbard, K. G.; Robinson, David A.; Andresen, Jeff; Leathers, Dan

doi:10.1175/bams-d-15-00258.1

Cited by 33 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Mesoscale automated observing networks have been in existence for some time (Brock et al, ; Mahmood, ; Schroeder et al, ). However, there has been little advancement regarding in situ automated hail detection.…”

Section: Surface Observations Of Hailmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Hail in the Earth System

Allen

Giammanco

Kumjian

et al. 2020

Reviews of Geophysics

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The processes leading to the development of hail and the distribution of these events worldwide are reviewed. Microphysical and physical characteristics of hail development are described to provide context of the notable gaps in our understanding of what drives hail to grow large, or what determines how it falls to the ground. Distributional characteristics of hail are explored, utilizing both surface observations of hailstones and remotely sensed observational data sets to identify opportunities and needs for new observations. These observational deficiencies contribute to our limited capacity to both forecast hail or its expected size and reduce the effectiveness of using favorable conditions for hail development as a proxy to frequency where observations are unavailable. Given the substantive influences of both climate variability and the changing Earth system on hail, the latest understanding of their contributions to risk are addressed. Applying this understanding of the distribution and physical characteristics of hail, the damage by hail to agriculture and insured property is assessed. Much remains unknown about the processes leading to hail growth and environmental controls on hail occurrence, size, and magnitude, particularly outside of the United States and Europe. A better understanding of the global occurrence of hail is also needed to better anticipate the hazard and associated impacts.

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Section: Surface Observations Of Hailmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Hail in the Earth System

Allen

Giammanco

Kumjian

et al. 2020

Reviews of Geophysics

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“…The Nebraska Mesonet (Mahmood et al 2017;Shulski et al 2018) consists of 67 monitoring stations, which cover the majority of the 93 Nebraskan counties. The Nebraska State Climate Office, part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, operates the network.…”

Section: Fig 3 Comparison Of Cloud-cover (Cldc) Category Reportedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eclipse across America: Citizen Science Observations of the 21 August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse

Dodson

Robles

Taylor

et al. 2019

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

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On 21 August 2017, North America witnessed a total solar eclipse, with the path of totality passing across the United States from coast to coast. The major public interest in the event inspired the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Observer to organize a citizen science observing campaign to record the meteorological effects of the eclipse. Participants at 17 585 observing sites collected 68 620 temperature observations and 15 978 cloud observations. With 7194 sites positioned in the path of totality, participants provide a nearly unbroken record of the cloud and temperature effects of the eclipse across the contiguous United States. The collection of both temperature and cloud observations provides an opportunity to quantify the cloud–temperature relationship. The unique character of citizen science, which provides data from a large number of observations with limited quality control, requires a method that leverages the large number of observations. By grouping observing sites along the path of totality by 1° longitude bins, the errors from individual sites are averaged out and the meteorological effects of the eclipse can be determined robustly. The data reveal a distinct relationship between prevailing cloud cover and the eclipse-induced temperature depression, in which overcast conditions reduces the temperature depression by about one-half of the value from clear conditions. A comparison of the GLOBE results with mesonet data allows a test of the robustness of the citizen science results. The results also show the great benefit that research using citizen science data receives from increased numbers of participants and observations.

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“…Similar assessments of other mesonets have been provided, for example, by Brock et al (1995), Kimball et al (2010), Schroeder et al (2005), and Shulski et al (2018). Additionally, an overview of the mesonets in the United States can be found in Mahmood et al (2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 76%

A Technical Overview of the Kentucky Mesonet

Mahmood

Schargorodski

Foster

et al. 2019

J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol.

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The Kentucky Mesonet is a research-grade weather and climate observing network with redundant sensors that monitors the near-surface atmosphere at 71 locations across Kentucky. The network measures temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction every 5 min, with soil moisture and soil temperature measured every 30 min. In addition, it operates a camera at selected locations. All observations are transmitted via cellular modem every 5 min and become available to the general public through the World Wide Web within seconds after arrival at Kentucky Mesonet’s Network Operations Center. In between arriving at the IT division and dissemination to general public, the data also go through automated data quality assurance (QA) procedures. Within that time, the data can be viewed through various graphical/visualization formats, developed based on feedback from the user community. The Kentucky Mesonet produces twice-daily QA reports and its technicians respond to these reports, making site visits when necessary to address issues. Mesonet technicians make regular site visits to all stations during spring, summer, and fall seasons. The network maintains a detailed database of station metadata that includes instrument and site maintenance history. The Mesonet delivers the data to the National Weather Service to aid forecasting. It also works closely with a variety of local, state, and federal entities so that the network can meet diverse needs.

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Mesonets: Mesoscale Weather and Climate Observations for the United States

Cited by 33 publications

References 15 publications

Understanding Hail in the Earth System

Understanding Hail in the Earth System

Eclipse across America: Citizen Science Observations of the 21 August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse

A Technical Overview of the Kentucky Mesonet

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