Observing Weather and Climate From the Ground Up : A Nationwide Network of Networks

Detailed Weather Observations On Local And Regional Levels Are Essential To A Range Of Needs From Forecasting Tornadoes To Making Decisions That Affect Energy Security, Public Health And Safety, Transportation, Agriculture And All Of Our Economic Interests. As Technological Capabilities Have Become Increasingly Affordable, Businesses, State And Local Governments, And Individual Weather Enthusiasts Have Set Up Observing Systems Throughout The United States. However, Because There Is No National Network Tying Many Of These Systems Together, Data Collection Methods Are Inconsistent And Public Accessibility Is Limited. This Book Identifies Short-term And Long-term Goals For Federal Government Sponsors And Other Public And Private Partners In Establishing A Coordinated Nationwide Network Of Networks Of Weather And Climate Observations. Observations Supporting The Fundamental Infrastructure For Mesoscale Monitoring And Prediction -- National Needs For Mesoscale Observations In Five Economic Sectors -- Observing Systems And Technologies: Successes And Challenges -- Architecture For A Network Of Networks -- How To Get From Here To There: Steps To Ensure Progress -- Organizational Attributes And Options For A Fully Integrated Non That Meets Multiple National Needs. Committee On Developing Mesoscale Meteorological Observational Capabilities To Meet Multiple National Needs, Board On Atmospheric Sciences And Climate, Division On Earth And Life Studies, National Research Council Of The National Academies. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 176-183) And Index. FrontMatter......Page 2 Preface......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Contents......Page 14 Summary......Page 18 1 Introduction......Page 32 2 Observations Supporting the Fundamental Infrastructure for Mesoscale Monitoring and Prediction......Page 40 3 National Needs for Mesoscale Observations in Five Economic Sectors......Page 59 4 Observing Systems and Technologies: Successes and Challenges......Page 104 5 Architecture for a Network of Networks......Page 147 6 How to Get from Here to There: Steps to Ensure Progress......Page 155 7 Organizational Attributes and Options for a Fully Integrated NoN that Meets Multiple National Needs......Page 166 8 Concluding Thoughts......Page 185 References......Page 193 Appendix A: A Rationale for Choosing the Spatial Density and Temporal Frequency of Observations for Various Atmospheric Phenomena......Page 202 Appendix B: Tables of Surface-Based Observing Systems......Page 225 Appendix C: Acronyms and Initialisms......Page 235 Appendix D: Statement of Task......Page 241 Appendix E: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff......Page 243