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 ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Introduction2 Observations Supporting the Fundamental Infrastructure forMesoscale Monitoring and Prediction3 National Needs for Mesoscale Observations in Five EconomicSectors4 Observing Systems and Technologies: Successes and Challenges5 Architecture for a Network of Networks6 How to Get from Here to There: Steps to Ensure Progress7 Organizational Attributes and Options for a Fully Integrated NoNthat Meets Multiple National Needs8 Concluding ThoughtsReferencesAppendix A: A Rationale for Choosing the Spatial Density andTemporal Frequency of Observations for Various AtmosphericPhenomenaAppendix B: Tables of Surface-Based Observing SystemsAppendix C: Acronyms and InitialismsAppendix D: Statement of TaskAppendix E: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff