1. Statewide Monitoring of the Mesoscale Environment: A Technical Update on the Oklahoma Mesonet Ken Crawford and Renee McPherson Oklahoma Climatological Survey The University of Oklahoma October 17, 2006 Ken Crawford and Renee McPherson Oklahoma Climatological Survey The University of Oklahoma October 17, 2006

2. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 In The Beginning… January 1991 — $2.7 million from Governor Henry Bellmon to launch the Oklahoma Mesonet Summer 1992 — Educational outreach program launched for K-12 teachers in Oklahoma (called ‘EarthStorm’) March 1994 — Oklahoma Mesonet commissioned Summer 1996 — OK-FIRST launched as an ‘educational outreach’ program for emergency management officials across Oklahoma October 2001 — OK-FIRST honored by Harvard University and the Ford Foundation as one of the five ‘most innovative’ programs in American government in 2001 January 1991 — $2.7 million from Governor Henry Bellmon to launch the Oklahoma Mesonet Summer 1992 — Educational outreach program launched for K-12 teachers in Oklahoma (called ‘EarthStorm’) March 1994 — Oklahoma Mesonet commissioned Summer 1996 — OK-FIRST launched as an ‘educational outreach’ program for emergency management officials across Oklahoma October 2001 — OK-FIRST honored by Harvard University and the Ford Foundation as one of the five ‘most innovative’ programs in American government in 2001

3. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 Foundation of OCS Services...

4. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 Newer Services...

5. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 Outreach Services...

6. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 OK-FIRST: Supporting Public Safety Since 1996 2 nd Outreach Program Built upon Oklahoma Mesonet ~180 Police, Fire, and Emergency Management Agencies All-Hazard Decision-Support System Based on Comprehensive Suite of Weather Products Mandatory Training Workshops (Continuing Ed) & Ongoing Support Main Results: Improved communication between public safety officials with local NWS offices. Scores of proactive decisions made to benefit local communities including saved lives and property.

7. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 The Initial, Key Ingredient: Reliable, No-Cost Communications

8. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 Daily Mean Temperatures at Goodwell, OK for 2005 (Data from ‘Co-located’ CRN, HCN & Mesonet Sites) Courtesy of Chris Fiebrich

9. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 The Major Heat Burst at Chickasha, OK 0235 UTC on 23 May 1996 Divergence Moved East and Re-Intensified Strong Pressure Gradient Persisted Affected Ninnekah, Acme, and Minco..

10. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 The Major Heat Burst at Chickasha, OK Gusts to 27 m/s; DT air of +7.4 o C; DT dew of -12.2 o C Sustained winds of 20 m/s Persistent Warm, Dry Air (Multiple Bursts?)

11. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 Dewpoint Temperature in the Oklahoma Mesonet 0015 UTC on 27 March 2000 (Wheat Belt Outlined in Red) (Winds Near Calm - Dew Point in o C)

12. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 SOM Seminar – Matt Haugland Across Oklahoma’s Winter Wheat Belt The Diurnal Cycle of Land-Atmosphere Interactions 8 April 2000 (0000 UTC – 1300 UTC) Before Harvest – Ideal Day: Dewpoint Change

13. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 SOM Seminar – Matt Haugland Across Oklahoma’s Winter Wheat Belt The Diurnal Cycle of Land-Atmosphere Interactions 8 June 2000 (2300 UTC – 1100 UTC) After Harvest – Ideal Day: Dewpoint Change

14. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 Linear Correlation of SH/LH Fluxes (With Respect To Depth Below Ground)

15. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 10-Year Return Frequency for Maximum Wind Speed (Based Upon Data From 12 Years at >100 Sites) Courtesy of Andrew Reader (Speeds in mph)

16. NWA Annual Meeting Cleveland, OH October 17, 2006 Thank You…Any Questions? Come visit Norman and see our new building!