1. Assorted Observation Systems
Meteorology 415
Fall 2011

2. Probing the Atmosphere
Surface
Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)
- Temp, Moisture, Pressure, Wind, Solar Radiation, Cloud Height, Precipitation, Visibility

3. Probing the Atmosphere
Network of Surface Hourly Observations:
- FAA (1,000)
- FHWA (100’s)
- USDA (100’s)
- DOD (100’s)
- USFS (100’s)
- EPA (100’s)

4. Probing the Atmosphere
Network of Mesoscale Observations:
- State DOT (1000)
- AG Nets (1000)
- Private (AWS) (7000)
- Utilities (100’s)

5. Probing the Atmosphere
Cooperative Climate Network
(10,000)
daily precip
most snow
some temp
few river gauges

6. Probing the Atmosphere
Cooperative Climate Network
Backbone of the nation’s climate records

7. Probing the Atmosphere
Historical Climate Network
(1,000 subset)
Basis of US Climate Trends

8. Probing the Atmosphere
Vertical Profile
Radiosonde Network (100)

9. Probing the Atmosphere
Vertical Profile
Atmospheric Sounding
Twice a day
Temperature
Dewpoint
Winds
Area equal to energy

10. Probing the Atmosphere
Vertical Profile
Profiler Network (dozens)

11. Probing the Atmosphere
Vertical Profile
Profiler Cross-Section
Every 6 minutes
Winds
Density (T,M)

12. Probing the Atmosphere
Vertical Profile
Suomi-Net (100)
Real-Time Integrated Water Content of the Atmosphere based on GPS attenuation

13. Probing the Atmosphere
Vertical Profile
Suomi-Net
A time series of precipitable water vapor
Related to surface flux of out-going long wave radiation
Used as a calibration for other estimates of water content

14. Probing the Atmosphere
Cross-Sections
ACARS – Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
(4,000 daily)

15. Probing the Atmosphere
Cross-Sections
ACARS
Winds and Temperatures along the flight path
Important reports of Turbulence, both in cloud and clear air

16. Probing the Atmosphere
Horizontal – surface observing systems; hourly, daily
Vertical – weather balloons, Doppler radar, GPS
Cross-Section – Aircraft sensors

17. References http://acweb.fsl.noaa.gov/ruc_acars/