Showing papers on "Weather station published in 1988"

Light pen interactive weather parameter display system

Abstract: A weather station display system displays weather data on a video monitor, TV receiver or other raster screen display. The weather data is derived from a weather station having multiple weather parameter sensors or transducers for measuring weather parameters and generating electrical signals representative of the measured values of the weather parameters. The electrical signals are conditioned and converted to digitally coded weather data. A microprocessor periodically samples and stores the digitally coded weather data and transfers weather data to a screen memory for raster scanning onto a raster screen display. The microprocessor also loads screen display format data including a main screen display format to the screen memory from program and screen data memory. A light pen coupled to the raster controller permits interrogation of character locations for selectively modifying displayed weather data. The program components stored in program memory direct updating weather data, user interactive light pen recall of maximum and minimum weather data, and interactive assembly of user messages.

Coastal dispersion conditions near the southwestern tip of Africa: a system for evaluation and prediction.

Abstract: A system is presented to monitor the local meteorology and to predict the dispersion of effluents from a nuclear power station situated on the coast near the southwestern tip of Africa. A computerized weather station forms the basis of the system and provides spatial definition of wind profiles and dispersion indices near the coastal interface by interpolation between a sensor array. The meteorological system measures winds, temperature structure and turbulence indices at the 10-m level at five remote points and in the 10- to 80-m layer at the main coastal station. To provide a system for evaluation and prediction of effluent trajectories, a real-time three-dimensional puff dispersion model was developed. The meteorology input to the model is automatically verified and updated at 15-min intervals. Model results are presented under complex weather conditions to show how time and space changes in the local wind field are handled. To assist weather forecasters supporting the nuclear emergency plan, a simple tabular display enables a view of the dispersion climatology over 24-h (coastal) and 7-d (synoptic) cycles. These results are presented to contrast the different scales of circulation and for comparison within the nuclear industry to assist health physicists in deciding appropriate levels ofmore » meteorological support for emergency plans.« less

Current Ohio Experience with an Automated Weather Station Network

Abstract: DURING the period of June 1980 to June 1981, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) and Miami University jointly developed a network of eight automated weather stations in Ohio. The network was deemed a valuable resource for several of Miami University's environmentally-oriented programs and OARDC-Wooster's research programs in energy and agriculture. OARDC-Wooster has a 100-year history of weather data collection and it is currently the site of one of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) 20 or so special benchmark weather stations. The purpose of this paper is to summarize operational experience with the Ohio network for the 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1986 period. Descriptions of networks established in other states (e.g., Chang et al., 1983; Hubbard et al., 1983; Dugas and Whitis, 1984; Thompson et al., 1984) would be extremely useful for improving existing networks and designing new ones.

Computer-monitored weather station

Abstract: This article was first published in the Spring 1988 issue of Electronic Systems News (now Electronics Education). It has proved extremely popular with our readership and is reprinted here for those teachers who missed the original publication.

Weather Conditions Associated with the Development of Southwestern Rust on Cotton

Abstract: Weather conditions leading to the development of southwestern rust on cotton were evaluated at 3 locations in southeastern Arizona. Rust appeared following an extended period of wet, humid weather. In excess of 16 hours of wet canopylhigh humidity conditions were observed on two consecutive days between 5 and 7 days prior to the appearance of rust. Temperatures during the wet canopylhigh humidity periods were moderate, ranging from 65 F to 76 F. Afternoon rain showers initiated these extended periods of wet canopy /high humidity conditions. INTRODUCTION Southwestern rust (Puccinia cacabata) has been an erratic disease problem for Arizona cotton producers since its appearance in 1922. The disease typically appears in southeastern Arizona during the months of July and August. The impact of southwestern rust on cotton yield varies from year to year, with severe outbreaks causing yield reductions of 50 -75%. The infection process for southwestern rust begins when summer rains blow teliospores from the alternate host, grama grass (Bouteloua spp.) onto the leaves and bolls of the cotton plant. Provided environmental conditions are optimal, infection then proceeds quickly. Previous studies (1, 2) conducted under controlled conditions indicate infection occurs within 13 hours provided: 1) the cotton canopy remains wet, or 2) relative humidity levels remain above 90% under moderate temperature conditions ( <83F). Once rust has infected the cotton plant, there are no known means of controlling the growth of the fungus. Growers use applications of mancozeb (Dithane M45) as a protective measure, but mancozeb will not stop southwestern rust once the plant is infected. Predictive disease systems have been developed for other fungal diseases including apple scab and early blight on potato. Such systems minimize guesswork associated with managing fungal diseases and allow growers to apply fungicides only when disease probability is high. The goal of this research is to determine the feasibility of developing a predictive model for southwestern rust. Such a model requires an understanding of the interaction of weather with the outbreak of the disease. This report presents the results of a first -year study designed to isolate specific weather conditions associated with the outbreak of southwestern rust. METHODS Weather conditions associated with the development of cotton rust were studied during the summer of 1987 at 3 locations in southeastern Arizona. Specific information on farm cooperators, farm locations, cotton varieties, planting dates and lint yields are provided in Table 1. A small, automated weather station was installed at each location on 23 June in a cotton field with a previous history of rust infestation. Each weather station monitored air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) at 1.5m above the soil surface and precipitation (PPT) at gauge height (0.4m). The weather station was programmed to compute hourly averages (AT and RH) and totals (PVT) as well as daily extremes of AT and RH. Each location was checked biweekly between 23 June and 1 September for the presence of cotton rust. When rust was noted, the severity of infestation was documented by counting pustule numbers and measuring pustule diameter on 10 leaves selected at random from the 2nd node below the plant apex.

Drought management: the role of near- real time weather data

Abstract: Donald A. Wilhite and Kenneth G. Hubbard Center for Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology University of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska The ability to collect weather data in near-real time has improved because of technological advances, enabling weather data users to obtain more weather data over wider areas, and in a more timely fashion. The number of near-real time climate networks is increasing as new applications are found for climate data. More than fifteen states in the United States have established automated weather station networks. This paper presents an overview of recent developments in automated weather data collection in the United States and gives a detailed description of the network in Nebraska. Near-real time weather data has many applications in agricultural decision making and in other economic sectors as well. Automated networks such as the one that exists in Nebraska can provide a practical, efficient, and cost-effective way of monitoring drought and assessing its impacts. In the United States, drought monitoring activities have been developed, at times, to support drought planning efforts by state government. Drought planning can be defined as actions taken by government, industry, individual citizens, and others in advance of drought for the purpose of mitigating some of the impacts associated with its occurrence. Planning for drought /i.e., risk management/ has been shown to be more effective than the traditional approach /i.e., crisis management/. Activities associated with drought planning