Using Environmental Data for Education, Research, and Decision Making

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Using Environmental Data for Education, Research,
and Decision Making The Oklahoma Climatological
Survey Norman, Oklahoma
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Why OCS?
Mark invited us!
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Oklahoma Senate Bill 547

• Mark invited us! (Mark is not in SB 547)
• To acquire, archive, process and disseminate, in
  the most cost effective way possible, all climate
  and weather information which is or could be of
  value to policy and decision makers in the state
• To act as the representative of the state in all
  climatological and meteorological matters both
  within and outside the state when requested to do
  so by the legislative or executive branches of
  the state government

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Oklahoma Senate Bill 547
To prepare, publish and disseminate periodic
regular climate summaries for those individuals,
agencies, and organizations whose activities are
related to the welfare of the state and are
affected by climate and weather To conduct and
report on studies of climate and weather
phenomena of significant socioeconomic importance
to the state
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Oklahoma Senate Bill 547
To evaluate the significance of natural and
manmade, deliberate and inadvertent changes or
modifications in important features of the
climate and weather affecting the state, and to
report this information to those agencies and
organizations in the state who are likely to be
affected by such changes or modifications AND
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To maintain and operate the Oklahoma Mesonet
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115 stations - at least one in every county
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Parameters to serve multi-agency needs

• Air Temperature (1.5 m)
• Relative Humidity (1.5 m)
• Wind Speed (10 m)
• Wind Direction (10 m)
• Rainfall
• Solar Radiation
• Barometric Pressure
• Soil Temperature (10 cm bare)
• Soil Temperature (10 cm sod)

• Air Temperature (9 m)
• Wind Speed (2 m)
• Soil Moisture (5, 25, 60, and 75 cm)
• Soil Temperature (5 cm bare)
• Soil Temperature (5 cm sod)
• Soil Temperature (30 cm sod)

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Visualization Tools
WxScope Web Plug-in
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and the requisite training
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Unidata 2008 Where the Oklahoma Climate Survey
fits
Endeavor 1 new data sets, partnerships, support
in less technologically sophisticated
environments. (and less financially
sophisticated environments) Endeavor 2 web
based training, simplify installation, etc.
Endeavor 4 visualization software
From M. Ramamurthy slides 6/23/2003
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Decisions Impacting Lives and Property
Situation Awareness
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Test your expertise

• Mid June in the southern plains
• Thunderstorms develop during the afternoon...drop
  hail (up to quarter size) and then begin to
  weaken. It is now after dark.
• OU SoM employee calls sees tornado in storm 15
  miles to the northeast ... wrapped in rain and
  occasionally illuminated by lightning... moving
  very little. He wants a tornado warning.
• Storm about 65 miles from radar, no rotation
  apparent. Reflectivities down below 40 dBZ.
  Storm has no history of producing tornadoes....
  No boundary interaction apparent...

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If you blow off the report
Tornado Strikes Without Warning! Weather Service
ignored pleas from trained storm spotter! I
tried to tell em. I called em every five
minutes! They just wouldnt listen! said Mark
Laufersweiler, School of Meteorology, OU.
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When in actuality
NWS puts out Tornado Warning on Grain
Silo!! Town forced to take cover from menacing
tower of corn! Well it sorta looked like a
tornado! Anyway, theyre the ones with that 3M
radar... why didnt they just use it? said Mark
Laufersweiler, ex-OU SoM Employee.
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Excellent Decisions
Situation Awareness Begin with research and
education
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OCS Research Partners
By 1993, the USDA became the first federal
partner with a decision to modernize their
historical Micronet across the Little Washita
Watershed. DOE/ARM also has been a continual
partner because the Mesonet made it possible to
shift more of the ARM/CART SGP site into
Kansas. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have
continually supported their access to
quality-assured rainfall data. and dont forget
the mother of Unidata! - NSF! Others include
DoC, NOAA, NWS, NASA, DoD, etc.
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Things we never thought of
FXUS64 KOUN 231536 AFDOKC AREA FORECAST
DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN
OKLAHOMA 1035 AM CDT MON JUN 23 2003 WILL UPDATE
FORECAST TO REMOVE TEMPORAL WORDING FOR LOW POPS
ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA. WILL ALSO INCREASE
CLOUD COVER OVER ALL BUT NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA BASED
ON CURRENT SATELLITE TRENDS. HIGH TEMPERATURES
APPEAR TO BE IN THE BALLPARK AND WILL NOT
CHANGE. HOWEVER...WILL INCREASE DEW POINT GRIDS
BASED ON CURRENT METAR/MESONET TRENDS. WV IMAGERY
SHOWING INCREASING MID LEVEL MOISTURE FROM
SOUTHWEST...WHICH IS PARTLY TO BLAME FOR
ACTIVITY POPPING UP EARLIER THIS MORNING. IN
CASE YOU MISSED IT...PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SENT EARLIER THIS MORNING CONCERNING FAIRLY
DECENT HEATBURST EVENT OVER SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA.
EVENT MAY HAVE GONE UNNOTICED IF WE DIDN'T HAVE
THE MESONET. FORECAST ID 11
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Research leads to decision support
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Research leads to decision support
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The Mesonet has proven to be one of the most
valuable production and marketing tools available
to Oklahoma producers.... Mesonet data will play
an increasing role in pesticide and fertilizer
applications, prescribed burning, confined animal
operations, and irrigation scheduling, to name a
few.Mark Hodges, Exec. DirectorOklahoma Wheat
Commission
Fostering Partnerships in Agriculture
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Fostering Partnerships in Education

• K-12 outreach program for teacher
  enhancement.
• Began in 1992 with 3 classes of teachers
  who received computers, training, and
  access to Mesonet data via a dial-
• up bulletin board
• system.
• Customized software.

EARTHSTORM
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EARTHSTORM Teacher Workshops
Initial funding from the NSF for 750,000 over 3
years (1992-1994)
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Generating widespread support
In many rural Oklahoma communities, the
EARTHSTORM computer was the only computer in the
school (at the time). Soon thereafter, these
same schools became the first ones in Oklahoma to
access the internet. Multi-curricular,
multi-disciplinary applications. 250 schools
across Oklahomas 77 counties now use Mesonet
data in the classroom.
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Using the Mesonet, we now work in a laboratory
without walls. Rural areas are at a disadvantage
no longer.JoAnn Ball, Comanche Public Schools
Partners lead to funding opportunities
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Tell your legislators
The Mesonet is providing my students with new
insights into what science really is. My students
have a new enthusiasm and interest in their
education. Never in my 14 years of teaching have
I had students begging to come and stay at school
for any other curriculum. Lori Painter, 6th
Grade Teacher Monroe Elementary, Enid Public
Schools
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Multi-disciplinary Extension EarthStorm U

• Funding provided by the Oklahoma EPSCoR Program
• 18 Oklahoma 2- and 4-year college and university
  faculty attended training workshops based on
  EARTHSTORM
• Professors incorporate real-time Mesonet, ARM,
  NEXRAD Radar, and Satellite data into
  undergraduate education and other science courses
• Education majors enter the K-12 classroom knowing
  how to use Mesonet, ARM and other weather
  information to enhance science and math teaching
• Result
• Scientists in other disciplines now use the
  Mesonet

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A Decision Makers Nightmare
The practical inutility of the national weather
bureau, for certain sections of the country, at
least, was never so conspicuously shown as on
Friday and Saturday last when South Texas was
left without any warning Houston Post
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A Decision Makers Nightmare
The practical inutility of the national weather
bureau, for certain sections of the country, at
least, was never so conspicuously shown as on
Friday and Saturday last when South Texas was
left without any warning Houston
Post September, 1900
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More complaining
Informed decisions on the part of users of
weather information are needed if such
information is to be translated into beneficial
actions. Research to improve the link between
meteorological service and users of weather
information was markedly deficient.
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But in the 60s, everyone was complaining
Informed decisions on the part of users of
weather information are needed if such
information is to be translated into beneficial
actions. Research to improve the link between
meteorological service and users of weather
information was markedly deficient. -US
Weather Bureau Report, 1964.
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A meteorological fumble?
No change in the situation first reported in
1964. -National Academy of Sciences Report,
1970.
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Individual heroes
Recommendation 9 The staff at NWSFO EWX is
commended for their dedication and extra effort
to seek confirmation that warning information was
being received by officials who had a critical
need for it. Nevertheless, it is recommended that
NWSFO EWX work with emergency management
officials to seek alternative and more efficient
methods to confirm receipt of warnings. -NOAA
Service Assessment on the Central Texas Tornado
Outbreak May 27, 1997 - p21.
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We need better decision support tools
Recommendation 12 The NWS should continue to
work with the state of Texas Division of
Emergency Management to seek ways to improve the
timely transmission of weather warnings and
should intensify efforts on both a local and
state level to explore alternative methods of
communicating critical weather products to
emergency management officials. -NOAA Service
Assessment on the Central Texas Tornado Outbreak
May 27, 1997 - p22.
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Individual heroes
Due to the perceived seriousness of the tornado
threat Sunday evening, February 22, the Melbourne
staff took the extraordinary step of calling the
emergency management or communications centers in
the threatened counties of the offices CWA prior
to the onset of the storms. Station logs indicate
contact with all of the affected counties,
alerting them to the potential for severe storms.
In Volusia County, the Melbourne staff contacted
the sheriffs dispatcher at 1033 p.m. and stayed
on the phone, at her request, for several minutes
giving scan by scan updates on the radar
data. -NOAA Service Assessment on the Central
Florida Tornado Outbreak February 22-23, 1998 -
June 1998 p7.
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We STILL need better decision support tools
RECOMMENDATION The potential limitations of this
type of contact due to high activity levels, or
minimal staffing, should be made clear to
emergency management and safety forces personnel.
WCMs should work to ensure that existing mass
communication systems are identified and fully
utilized and work with local emergency management
personnel to develop new or enhanced mass
communication systems. -NOAA Service
Assessment on the Central Florida Tornado
Outbreak February 22-23, 1998 - June 1998 p16.
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What have we learned?
You've not had 30 years' experience, you've had
one year's experience 30 times. -J.
Carr (1850)
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OK-FIRST
An initiative by OCS to develop a
decision-support system for Public Safety
Agencies (Emergency Management, Fire, and Police).
-The Oklahoma Mesonet Plus
-NEXRAD (20 products from 15 radars mosaics)
-National Weather Service text and graphic
products
-Fostered more effective interaction with the NWS
Provide instruction on how to use and apply (and
how not to apply) critical weather data.
1996-1999 550K one-time Federal
grant1999-present 250K/yr from Legislature
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May 3, 1999
Lincoln County Emergency Management Ben
Springfield

• Tanger Mall was cleared of people before the
  storm arrived.
• Rural citizens were informed by updates
  broadcast on scanner and took shelter.
• Patients at the Stroud Hospital were moved into
  hallways before debris completely filled the
  rooms.

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The Oklahoma Mesonet has quickly become a
critical piece of information to make warning and
forecast decisions at the National Weather
Service. It has played key roles in situations
ranging from the May 3rd tornadoes of 1999 to
forecast support during the Oklahoma City bombing
recovery effort.David L. Andra, Jr., Science
and Operations OfficerNational Weather Service
Forecast Office - Norman, OK
Fostering Partnerships with the NWS
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From locating dry lines, checking rain totals
for flooding, to wind gusts, the Oklahoma Mesonet
gives operational meteorologists the timely data
we need. Other than the NEXRAD radars, I cant
imagine any other resource I have that provides
as much weather data to help me warn our viewers
of severe weather threats.Dan Threlkeld,
KFOR-TV, Oklahoma City, OK
Fostering Partnerships with the Media
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Human resources and response
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Multidisciplinary Focus Fire Weather
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Firefighting/Hazardous Materials
Ardmore/Carter County Emergency Management
routinely monitors the Mesonet. They page this
information to all Carter County fire departments
so they are prepared for wind shifts and
hazardous conditions.
Ponca City and Kay County Emergency Management
officials continually monitored Mesonet
conditions during the Conoco refinery fire on
October 29, 1999. They kept abreast of the wind
conditions to keep a bad situation from becoming
worse.
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We had a wildfire along the Red River south of
Grandfield. Using the Mesonet and your fire
weather products, I was able to relay to the
first fire truck that was en route to the scene
how fast the fire should burn and what the wind,
air temperature, and humidity would be at the
scene. Because the spread component was high, we
dispatched 2 more trucks to the scene even before
the first truck arrived. The 3 trucks had the
fire out within 30 minutes, quite possibly saving
property and lives.Tommy Thornton, Emergency
Management Director
Proactive versus Reactive
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Urban Meteorology
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Fostering Partnerships with electric co-ops
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The Oklahoma Mesonet is proving to be a
tremendous resource for the electric cooperatives
of Oklahoma. Up-to-the-minute weather data are
absolutely critical. Not only is the information
from Mesonet accurate and timely, but other
services, such as access to real-time weather
radar, afford our electric co-ops the opportunity
to enhance their abilities to deliver
competitively priced electricity in a safe and
reliable manner.Sid Sperry, Director of
Marketing Member Relations Oklahoma Association
of Electric Cooperatives
Economic benefits of one utility helping another
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Conflicts with Private Industry?
HEY! THATS NOT FAIR!
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Conflicts with Private Industry?
Know your customers!
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GIS Challenges?
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GIS Challenges!
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The Infinite Loop

• Tenets from Cliff Jacobs presentation on
  Monday June 23, 2003
• Customization of some, passive access to other
  re data (Ag, Edu, Emer Mgmt, Elec Coops,
  Transportation, etc.)
• Personalization and communication (we are
  constantly training!)
• Workplace/home/school (250 schools, 150 ems, 19
  recs)
• Enhance the quality of work undertaken by
  non-atmospheric scientists.

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The Mesonet has grown over the past decade to an
operation that reaches every county in Oklahoma,
and impacts the economy of the state and the
well-being of its citizens. The management of
the Mesonet should be applauded for continually
working closely with all end users. This useful
exchange has resulted in products that are
specifically catered to the users needs. This
interaction has also resulted in a diverse
clientele that is very satisfied with and highly
supportive of the Mesonet.
AAAS External Review
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A Climate Services Vision First Steps Toward The
Future
National Research Council, 2001

• The blue ribbon panel believed the Oklahoma
  Mesonets success was built upon five pillars
• Users were involved from day one.
• Products were developed in direct partnership
  with users.
• Strong partnerships existed with mission agencies
  and with research elements.
• Information was accessible.
• Education of users and potential users was an
  important element of the program.

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External Recognition
Outstanding Contributors to Emergency Management
by Oklahoma Emergency Management Association
(1998, 1999)
Innovations in American Government Award
Winnerin 2001 by Harvard Universitys JFK School
of Government
Special Award from the American Meteorological
Society in 2001
Finalist in 2001 Stockholm Challenge
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http//www.ocs.ou.edu