Meteorology

Mission/Vision

To define a consistent set of instruments and data processing procedures to measure meteorology variables across the LTAR network.

Objectives

• To make the first near real-time common observations from LTAR available to the public from an NAL repository
• To provide data from all sites to users in a common format with the same data definitions
• To ensure comparability of common observatory data across the network. To the extent scientifically feasible and appropriate, instruments of equivalent quality (precision, accuracy) will be used with common methods.
• To accommodate varying levels of IT capabilities and build skills at the LTAR sites. For example, developing a clearinghouse for code and operating procedures to share with all sites.
• To maintain continuity for observations that extend historical records.
• To develop a foundation for subsequent common observatory data (hydrology, eddy flux…)

Activities

• Settle on measurement interval, averaging and reporting interval
• Finalize meteorology metadata developed by Jeff Campbell
• Develop standard data logger programs with initial QA checks
• Develop secondary QA/QC programs
• Finalize data table formats for transmission to NAL
• Begin transmission of legacy data and its documentation to NAL
• Guidance on maintenance tasks and frequency

Accomplishments

• A set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and sampling methodology has been developed
  • LTAR Meteorology Concept of Operations FINAL 150929.pdf
• The Meteorology Working Group has developed a recommended set of variables to measure
  • LTAR Met Report-July-11-2015.docx 
  • List of recommended variable
    • Air temperature/ relative humidity
    • Wind speed and direction
    • Precipitation
    • Phenology camera
    • Barometric pressure
    • Short and long-wave radiation (incoming and reflected if combined in a single instrument)
    • Photosynthetically-active radiation (PAR) incoming
  • Transmission of the recommended variables to NAL
• A list of recommended instrumentation, typically from at least two vendors, to make recommended measurements
  • LTAR-Met-July-2015.xlsx

Datasets Produced

• Air temperature/ relative humidity
• Wind speed and direction
• Precipitation
• Phenology camera
• Barometric pressure
• Short and long-wave radiation (incoming and reflected if combined in a single instrument)
• Photosynthetically-active radiation (PAR) incoming

Manuscripts Published

List of manuscripts published or under development with LTAR Meteorology datasets.