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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Partners Already Involved… StateGBIGDOT*GEPD*GFC*GEMA State Climatologist Academia Univ. of Georgia* GA Tech FederalUSFS*USGS*CDCOther EM Assoc. of GA *Have a mesonet.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Vision A Network of Networks 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. A safer, more responsive, secure, and capable Georgia.

Mesonet Station Solar/Battery powered. Solar/Battery powered. Needs large clearing area (at least two acres). Needs large clearing area (at least two acres).

Examples

Examples

Examples

Examples

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