The North Dakota Weather Network
Introduction
The University of North Dakota Regional Weather Information Center (RWIC), is currently implementing an innovative data weather reporting network to support the use of atmospheric science data within the K-12 curricula. It is the hope that this experimental weather reporting network will create a convenient method in which data can be sent to and from the Regional Weather Information Center.
Scope
- To define weather reporting parameters and criteria
- To define a process for reporting these parameters, such that the process does not become an arduous task for the teacher or the student. This process must be modular such that limited resources will not hinder participation in this activity
- To provide products or data sets to schools that show the value of these higher density networks
- To work toward an automated data reporting method so that continuos data sets can be used for a higher level of learning within the K-12 curricula.
- To incorporate user driven ideas, into the procedures and products, to improve upon ease of use, and efficiency in the learning process.
Summary
Currently RWIC uses real time data to create weather products. On a state wide basis however, some small scale weather phenonmon are not identified due to the geographical spacing, or seasonality of certain reporting stations. For example, during winter snow storms snowfall amounts may vary greatly within a ten mile radius, while during summer time thunderstorms precipitation amounts may vary greatly within even a mile. If reporting stations are 50 miles apart in spacing, small scale differences go unnoticed. Some reporting networks which do have close spacing may be seasonal, such that they only report rainfall but don’t report the water equivalent of snowfall. The primary method of data input will be a web page where data is input into a template for each location. The effect of this prototype network will be to increase the weather reporting station density, seasonality and timeliness of observations, while fostering public education and outreach. It is known that data sets are more interesting to work with if they have some relevance with the "local region", and if the data sets actually contain meaningful values rather than "made up" or "canned" values. It is the hope that this reporting network will increase the interest in using meteorological data within the math and science cirriculum.
People interested in this experimental weather reporting network should contact Scott Kroeber at the UND Aerospace Regional Weather Information Center
Email: scottk@rwic.und.edu
Phone: (701) 777-2398