Observing Weather and Climate from the Ground Up

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. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Observations Supporting the Fundamental Infrastructure for Mesoscale Monitoring and Prediction 3 National Needs for Mesoscale Observations in Five Economic Sectors 4 Observing Systems and Technologies: Successes and Challenges 5 Architecture for a Network of Networks 6 How to Get from Here to There: Steps to Ensure Progress 7 Organizational Attributes and Options for a Fully Integrated NoN that Meets Multiple National Needs 8 Concluding Thoughts References Appendix A: A Rationale for Choosing the Spatial Density and Temporal Frequency of Observations for Various Atmospheric Phenomena Appendix B: Tables of Surface-Based Observing Systems Appendix C: Acronyms and Initialisms Appendix D: Statement of Task Appendix E: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff