Showing papers on "Weather station published in 2007"

Climate analysis with satellite versus weather station data

Abstract: This paper compares how well satellite versus weather station measurements of climate predict agricultural performance in Brazil, India, and the United States. Although weather stations give accurate measures of ground conditions, they entail sporadic observations that require interpolation where observations are missing. In contrast, satellites have trouble measuring some ground phenomenon such as precipitation but they provide complete spatial coverage of various parameters over a landscape. The satellite temperature measurements slightly outperform the interpolated ground station data but the precipitation ground measurements generally outperform the satellite surface wetness index. In India, the surface wetness index outperforms station precipitation but this may be reflecting irrigation, not climate. The results suggest that satellites provide promising measures of temperature but that ground station data may still be preferred for measuring precipitation in rural settings.

Integrating climatic and fuels information into National Fire Risk Decision Support Tools

Abstract: The Wildland Fire Assessment System (WFAS) is a component of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Decision Support Systems (DSS) that support fire potential modeling. Fire potential models for Mississippi and for Eastern fire environments have been developed as part of a National Aeronautic and Space Agency-funded study aimed at demonstrating the utility of NASA assets in fire potential decision support systems. Climate, fuels, topography and ignition are recognized as important components for modeling fire potential in Eastern forests and grasslands. We produced temporal and spatial water budget estimates using daily assessments of precipitation and evaporation (P-E) in a Geographic Information System. Precipitation values are derived from Doppler radar-based estimates of hourly rainfall accumulation, published on the Hydrologic Rainfall Analysis Project (HRAP) grid. Precipitation data are routinely available, but evaporation data are not. Regional estimates of evaporation have been produced to fill this void. Regression models that estimate daily evaporation in the Southern region of the United States were developed from readily available weather station observations. Evaporation estimates were combined with precipitation to compute the cumulative water budget. Improvement of these estimates when compared to Keetch-Byrum Drought Index (KBDI) was demonstrated using fire location data in Mississippi. Evapotranspiration (ET) from the NASA Land Information System (LIS), is currently being evaluated as a landscape moisture variable. We have implemented a hierarchical modeling methodology that combines information derived from ICESat (GLAS) data and MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Indices (EVI) to describe fuels structure. A graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed using Visual Basic (VB) that accesses an ESRI geospatial database that integrates water budget and fuels. The ignition component is derived from gravity models that assess the interaction of population density and forest areal size.

Development of a Livestock Weather Safety Monitor for Feedlot Cattle

Abstract: Summer heat can result in stressful conditions for Bos taurus feeder cattle, and in extreme instances these conditions can be fatal. The feedlot operator has management options available to him if he is aware of current and impending heat-stress events. Many livestock production facilities exist in environments that may differ significantly from the conditions at the closest weather station. There is a need to provide producers with heat stress information from an on-site real-time weather monitoring system. A monitoring device, referred to as a Livestock Safety Monitor (LSM), was designed around a commercial weather station (Vantage PRO by Davis Instruments, Hayward, Calif.) that was coupled to a microcomputer (TFX-11, by Onset Computer, Pocasset, Mass.). The weather station collects current weather data including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. The weather information is transferred to the micro-computer where the weather data is used to generate a physiologically-based stress factor. The estimated values alert the operator of current conditions that include: (1) normal, (2) alert, (3) danger, and (4) emergency categories. This article will summarize development and operating experience using the LSM.

Ultra Low Power Wireless Weather Station

Abstract: Currently the appearance of really low power wireless transceivers at very low prices is motivating the development of many wireless applications out of the industrial field, which up to now turn to be large in size and expensive. We present the design of a tiny and low cost Wireless Weather Station to measure accurate temperature (plusmn0.1degC), relative humidity (plusmn3%), light intensity and atmospheric pressure (plusmn0.8 hPa). These direct climatic variables and others indirectly attainable, like the dew-point, wind chill, etc, are readable through a Web page. The chosen sensors are factory calibrated and have a digital interface. The Weather Sensor Nodes are able to achieve ultra low power consumption (40 muA average), allowing a single supercapacitor to power them for 52 days.

The role of weather in beach recreation - a case study using webcam images

Abstract: Beach recreation is one of the most weather-sensitive leisure activities. However, there is a lack of scientific knowledge about how the different weather/climate variables influence beach visitation, and previous work on this area of research is based on stated preferences of respondents and not on behaviour. This study uses webcams in combination with onsite weather data to study the relationship between weather and beach use. Rosas, a seaside town in Spain, was used as a case study. During a period of one and a half months, images were taken every hour and then compared to the specific weather conditions provided by a nearby weather station to assess the relationship between beach visitation densities and atmospheric conditions. Precipitation is the dominating effect and is more important than other weather variables. Wind speed between 4 and 5 m/s is related to high density of users at the beach, while 7 m/s seems to be a threshold for ideal conditions. Finally, the role of temperature is somehow unclear, with tourists leaving the beach during the hottest hours of the day, although it seems that this is related to time and not weather. This pilot study provides an innovative approach to the analysis of the relationship between weather conditions and beach recreation. It raises some interesting questions about tourists' adaptation to weather and potentially to climate change.

A method for revising temperature and humidity prediction using additional observations and weather forecasts

Abstract: Weather prediction is considered to be essential for the predictive control of HVAC systems in which dynamic components, such as a thermal storage tank or heavy building envelope, exist. This paper proposes a method for revising the prior prediction of ambient temperature and humidity by combining two additionally available different data sources, i.e., observations at the building site and forecasts from a weather station. The proposed method applies the theory of orthogonal projection employed in the Kalman filter, and the revised predictions are statistically optimal for determining the minimumvariance linear estimate.

Effect of weather conditions on somatic cell score in Sicilian Valle del Belice ewes

Abstract: Mastitis susceptibility of Valle del Belice ewes from the south of Sicily to temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, sun hours, air pressure, wind-speed and wind-direction measured by a public weather station was investigated using 65,848 test-day somatic cell score (SCS) records of 5,237 ewes. All weather parameters had an effect on SCS in a regression approach. Extreme values of maximum and minimum temperaturehumidity indices resulted in increased SCS. Higher precipitation, solar radiation and sun hours resulted in increased SCS, whereas higher air pressure and wind speed resulted in reduced SCS.

Integrated fog free mirror and weather station

Abstract: A system for planning wardrobe and activities includes a weather sensing unit configured to wirelessly transmit weather conditions, a weather condition display module configured to receive the transmitted weather conditions, and a reflective surface integrally coupled to the weather condition display.

Summer Heat Waves — Extreme Years

Abstract: The performance of four heat stress indices was compared for response to known events. A 12-yr period of weather data was analyzed for occurrence of heat wave events at each of three locations--Grand Island and Concord, NE and Rockport, MO. Numerous events were detected at each location. The Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) was used to show the duration of events and characterize the intensity in terms of temperature and humidity. Three additional indices were used to provide a similar depiction, based on additional weather factors of solar radiation and wind speed incorporated in the index. Each index correctly identified the events at all locations based on the analysis of hourly records of temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed. Comparisons among the three index values with the original THI value showed that the index computed by the adjusted THI model was the most sensitive for all events, giving emergency category warnings most frequently. The respiration rate (RR) model was generally the least sensitive in comparison, giving the least number of emergency warnings and estimating the greatest recovery time. The Accumulated Heat Load Units (AHLU) model generated an accumulative index value which generally maintained the emergency warning, for the very severe events, after the heat wave event had passed. In a comparison of the models and indices for a known severe heat wave that was responsible for the loss of about 5000 cattle in northeast Nebraska, it was apparent that dangerous heat waves exist beyond the coverage of the weather station network. Death losses indicated that the local conditions were more severe at the affected feedlots than at two nearby (35 km) weather stations that also had feedlots in the immediate area without cattle deaths, stressing the value of an on-site weather station. Future efforts to compare indices should focus on sites having both weather data and known records of livestock losses.

Monte-Carlo Simulation Analysis of Typhoon Extreme Value Wind Characteristics in Guangzhou

Abstract: Based on abundant typhoon observation data obtained from meteorological satellite observation and on-site wind velocity records in Guangzhou weather station from 1949 to 2003,sensitivity indices about several wind field stochastic parameters to typhoon extreme value wind in the region of Guangzhou are calculated by adopting Monte-Carlo typhoon stochastic model and sensitivity analysis technique.With a comparison of the results of the Monte-Carlo simulation and the in-situ observation,those wind field parameters can be optimized easily.The process of extreme value wind prediction is proposed,then typhoon extreme wind characteristics in several typical civil engineering fields nearby Guangzhou weather station are simulated on the basis of Peak Over threshold method and generalized Pareto distribution.Distribution rules are illustrated about gradient wind height,wind profile,extreme wind velocity and gust factor etc..Finally,a comparative study is conducted on the results and those of Chinese Wind Load Code.

Assimilating spaceborne radar and ground-based weather station data for operational snow-covered area estimation

Abstract: An enhanced method for snow-covered area (SCA) estimation for boreal forest zone is presented. The method combines TKK developed spaceborne radar-based SCA estimation with ground-based weather station observations. The purpose is to improve the reliability of SCA estimates near and after the end of snow-melt season. The SCA estimates acquired with the enhanced method are compared with optical satellite data-based (MODIS) SCA data. Investigations were carried out for snow-melt seasons of 2004-2006. The results show a significant increase in accuracy when the enhanced SCA method is applied. Correlation between the radar-based and optical reference data increases from 0.919 to 0.937 and RMS-error improves from 0.151 to 0.140 when the new method is employed.

Modelling Extreme Wind Speeds

Abstract: Very strong wind gusts can cause derailment of some high speed trains so knowledge of the wind process at extreme levels is required. Since the sensitivity of the train to strong wind occurrences varies with the relative direction of a gust this aspect has to be accounted for. We first focus on the wind process at one weather station. An extreme value model accounting at the same time for very strong wind speeds and wind directions is considered and applied to both raw data and component data, where the latter represent the force of the wind in a chosen direction. Extreme quantiles and exceedance probabilities are estimated and we give corresponding confidence intervals. A common problem with wind data, called the masking problem, is that per time interval only the largest wind speed over all directions is recorded, while occurrences in all other directions remain unrecorded for this time interval. To improve model estimates we suggest a model accounting for the masking problem. A simulation study is carried out to analyse the behaviour of this model under different conditions; the performance is judged by comparing the new model with a traditional model using the mean square error of high quantiles. Thereafter the model is applied to wind data. The model turns out to have desirable properties in the simulation study as well as in the data application. We further consider a multivariate extreme value model recently introduced; it allows for a broad range of dependence structures and is thus ideally suited for many applications. As the dependence structure of this model is characterised by several components, quantifying the degree of dependence is not straight forward. We therefore consider visual summary measures to support judging the degree of dependence and study their behaviour and usefulness via a simulation study. Subsequently, the new multivariate extreme value model is applied to wind data of two gauging stations where directional aspects are accounted for. Therefore this model allows for statements about the joint wind behaviour at the two stations. This knowledge gives insight whether storm events are likely to be jointly present at larger parts of a railway track or rather occur localized.

The Characteristics of Snow Change and the Relation Between Snow Change and Climate——A Case Study of Urumqi Area

Abstract: In the paper,the characteristics of the snow change were studied and analyzed.By using the monitoring material of meteorological satellite and the information of weather station in the ground during the period between 1990 to 2004,a regression analysis about the time varying of the snow was made,the increase and decrease model of the snow cover and snow depth were established.The relation between snow and weather factors(temperature and precipitation)was studied,the temperature and precipitation composite model about the snow cover and snow depth was proposed.The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the snow in Urumqi are benefit to the animal-breeding and agriculture department and the water conservancy department.

Estimation of Daily Solar Radiation in China Based on Weather Station Data

Abstract: Currently,there are two methods to calculate daily solar radiation on horizontal level,one utilizes the relative element that influence the solar radiance to establish the model,another uses spatial interpolation method that relied on the observed data.However,the latter one needs enough samples to keep high accuracy.In this paper,we developed a new model for China's daily solar radiation calculation based on VP-RAD model.The model inputs include basic station information(latitude and elevation),daily temperature range and precipitation.The model was developed and validated by the data observed from 67 meteorology stations in different regions of China.The result indicates that this model is reasonable and applicable.

Feasibility analysis of wind resource development in Guangxi mountainous region by an example of Mountain Darong

Abstract: The wind resource parameters in Mountain Darong are calculated and analyzed by using the meteorological observation data of the automatic observation stations in Mountain Darong during August 2004-July 2006 and the wind data of the weather station in County Rong Xian during 1958-2006.Combined with other conditions the feasibility of the wind resource development is made.The results show that the average annual wind speed is 7.2m/s and the average annual wind power is 390.8W/m2 in Mountain Darong.Hence 45 wind power generator with general capacity 750kM can be deployed in the mountain top of small slope and the mountain middle.

An Analysis of the Local Weather Around Longyearbyen and an Instrumental Comparison

Abstract: Three different studies have been made; an analysis of the general weather situation at three weather stations in Svalbard, close to the main settlement Longyearbyen; an instrumental comparison between three weather stations operating at nearly the same place during a few days in October 2006; and a case study of a weather station at the mountain Breinosa compared to the station in the valley beneath.The analysis of the general weather at the three stations, Adventdalen (data used from 2004-2006), Svalbard Airport (data used from 1994-2004) and Gruvefjellet (data used from 2002-2005) showed that it is clear that the local surroundings do contribute to a more locally produced weather. The mean wind speed in Adventdalen was shown to be 5.1 m/s and the wind direction was mostly from inland towards the coast. Channelling effects dominates the winds in the valley, resulting in high wind speeds. The channelled winds from Adventdalen often reach Svalbard Airport (average wind speed 4.8 m/s). At the Airport there is also a contribution of winds (mostly in summer) originating from the sea, e.g. sea breeze. In times when the weather at Svalbard Airport was more continental, Adventfjorden and Isfjorden were likely to be covered by ice. The higher location of Gruvefjellet most often contributes to low temperatures and an average wind speed of 3.9 m/s. However, the temperature at Adventdalen and the Airport are often colder than at Gruvefjellet due to the frequency of temperature inversions.The instrumental comparison concerned three stations in Adventdalen. Data from the stationary weather station was compared with data from two temporarily stations during 4-7th October 2006. It is apparent that the stationary station needs calibration, at least when looking at the pressure measurements, where there clearly is an offset in the data.The third study was a case study concerned data from a station at the mountain Breinosa and Adventdalen. A new weather station will be put up during 2007 and data (16th December 2005 until 12th January 2006) from a temporarily station was used when determining the differences from the station down in the valley (Adventdalen). The wind speed is often just as high in the valley as at Breinosa due to channelling effects. The temperature in Adventdalen seems to be affected by the temperature at Breinosa. The air is chilled and sinks down to be channelled through the valley. There are some occasions when the temperature at the mountain is higher than beneath. During those events the wind speed is low and a temperature inversion develops at the ground.

Prospects for creating in karakalpakstan wind electric stations of large capacity utilizing the wind energy resources of the Ustyurt Plateau

Abstract: The prospects for creating a wind electric station (WES) of capacity 120 MW on the Ustyurt Plateau are examined; its fundamental parameters and operating characteristics are determined on the basis of the wind conditions recorded by the Zhaslyk weather station. The primary energy deficient consumers in the rural region of Karakalpakstan (the ungasified rural population centers, the electrical water purification facilities, and the pumping stations) are analyzed and the possibility for covering this shortage by the power that is generated by the WES is determined.

Weather station and method for the operation thereof

Abstract: The invention relates to a weather station and a method for operating such a weather station. Said weather station comprises a measuring apparatus (40, 41) for measuring and supplying weather data (w; T, p) from the environment, a reproduction unit (20) for reproducing the weather data (w) in an optically and/or acoustically detectable form, a transmitter (42) for transmitting the measured and supplied weather data (w), a receiver (22) which is connected to the reproduction unit (20) and is used for receiving the weather data (w) from the transmitter (42) and supplying the received weather data (w) to the reproduction unit (20), and a time signal module (44) for receiving a signal (g) containing time data and/or date data and supplying a time signal (s) encompassing the time data and/or date data. The time signal (s) or corresponding time data (z) is transmitted from the transmitter (42) to the receiver (22) and/or is reproduced or output by the reproduction unit (20) and/or an output device (24) in addition or as an alternative to the weather data (w).

House-weather station, has time-signal module providing time-signal with time and/or date information, where signal is transmitted from transmitting device to receiving device and is reproduced to weather data by reproduction device

Abstract: The station has a measuring device (40) to measure and to provide weather data and a reproduction device (20) to reproduce the data into optical and/or acoustic detectable form. A transmitting device (42) transmits the measured data and a receiving device (22) receives the data and provides the data to the device (20). A time-signal module (44) receives a signal with time and/or date information and provides a time-signal with the time and/or date information, where the time signal is transmitted from the device (42) to the device (22) and is reproduced to the weather data by the device (20). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a measuring device for a house-weather station (2) a reproduction device for a house-weather station (3) a method for operating a house-weather station.

Measuring system in the sea wind resources, energy producer and installation method.

Abstract: Measuring system in the sea wind resources, energy producer and installation method. The measuring system of wind resources in the sea, of the present invention is based on a buoy type floating structure "spar" fixed by a laying device to maintain its position and being provided with instrumentation which records the movement of the structure to correct wind measurements, so that the structure (1) floating, installed in deep water, includes: at least one LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging-Imaging) device for measuring wind, and / or; at least one weather station, a device (5) for harnessing wave energy and / or; a device (12) of energy exploitation of currents; generated energy being used to supply the different control systems, instrumentation, data recording and transmission.

Predictionofdiseaseriskusingsite-specific estimatesofweathervariables

Abstract: To improve the implementation of weather-based disease risk models, a spatial interpolation method was investigated to provide weather estimates for specific sites. Two sites in the HortResearch horticultural weather station network, one in Marlborough and one in Hawke’s Bay, were selected as validation sites. Interpolated weather data were estimated for these sites from November to March in 2003-04 and 2004-05, using actual weather data from nearby stations that were selected as natural neighbours using the geometrical technique, Voronoi tessellation. Wetness duration was also estimated using interpolated weather data as inputs to an empirical wetness model. Air temperature estimates were comparable to actual measurements but wetness duration was overestimated. When interpolated and actual data were used as inputs to the grape botrytis model, Bacchus, predicted risks were comparable to each other for short periods rather than the whole growing season. This suggests that risk of botrytis bunch rot could be predicted reliably at a specific site using the spatial interpolation method.

Antarctic meteorological data - collection, archive, and distribution

Abstract: Antarctic geophysical data is important for research and logistical needs including studies of localized weather, operational weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and the movement of ice sheets. The Antarctic Meteorological Research Center (AMRC) houses various types of geophysical data for the Antarctic, and in particular, meteorological data. This database is the premier weather data collection system for the United States Antarctic program. Within this database, satellite imagery, weather station observations, model output, climatological data, and pilot reports are just some of the data available. All data is available to the public and scientific community free of charge, as long as it is used for educational or scientific purposes. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce the full extent of the AMRC collection to the Antarctic community.

The Davis Instruments Vantage Pro Weather Station

Abstract: loss in a way that echoes the lack of an active sound source in the piece. And it is an unexpected record of the world seen through my father’s eyes. Hearing Loss addresses the absence of the person for whom these devices were made, and for this purpose, few sound sources could be more suitable than feedback, “the Zen-like infinite amplification of silence.” Its “tautological elegance” [1] and musical potential contradict its status as problem or systemic fault: in this piece, its antagonistic relationship to hearing aids is harnessed to explore the presence of loss [2].

A Re-examination of the Lost Lake Effect in buffalo, New y ork

Abstract: In 1943, the National Weather Service moved the weather station at Buffalo, New York from its downtown waterfront location to an inland location . Recently discovered air temperature data from the log books of the Colonel Ward Pumping Station (1943 to 1987) allow for a comparison of monthly temperatures with those of Buffalo’s current inland weather station . Our objective is to determine if the lake effect was lost in the climatic record with the inland move of the weather station . Differences in average monthly temperatures between the waterfront and inland locations support the loss of the lake effect . If the weather station were still in the old location, winter months would have averaged about 1oF warmer than the current Buffalo temperature record, and spring and early summer temperatures would have averaged about 1oF cooler than the current Buffalo temperature record . Differences in the annual mean temperature record appear minimal (-0 .04oF), although this difference is dependent on the decade studied .