Note This slide set is one of several that were presented at climate training workshops in 2014 Please visit the SCIPP Documents page in the Resources tab on the SCIPPs website wwwsouthernclimateorg ID: 612108
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Slide1
Climate Tools & DataSlide2
Note: This slide set is one of several that were presented at climate training workshops in 2014. Please visit the
SCIPP Documents
page in the
Resources
tab on the SCIPP’s website,
www.southernclimate.org
, for slide sets on additional topics.
Workshop funding was provided by the NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments program.Slide3
Why use climate data?
Provides physical evidence of what climate was like before we were born or can remember.
Observations do not change whereas our memory of particular events or time periods might change.
Can provide supporting material that is required for a project report, grant application, legal proceeding, etc.
A way to measure past events.Slide4
See Tools & Data handout for URLs.Slide5
Past Conditions
Climatological ToolsSlide6
Already Mentioned
PRISM Climate Maps (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State)
Historical Climate Trends Tool (SCIPP)Slide7
Average Monthly Temperature and Precipitation Tool (SCIPP)
Description:
This tool displays information on how a particular year’s monthly temperature or precipitation records compare to normal (i.e., 30-year average for the period 1981-2010.)Slide8
Oklahoma Climate DivisionsSlide9
How to use it
Choose a
State
Oklahoma
Climate Division
3
Year
2014Slide10
Example Applications of the Tool
Determine if your area is behind or ahead on rainfall and the impact that
could
have on water quantity and quality.
Temperatures can also impact
water quantity and quality.
Potential for algal blooms.
A rainfall deficit leads to drier vegetation and drought development.
Determine if past months and years of perceived significance were actually significant.
Example: Was summer 2007 as wet as I think it was?
Rain-soaked farmland in June 2007.
Source: ARM Climate Research FacilitySlide11
Southern U.S. Drought Tool (SCIPP)
Description
Displays information on drought severity and the amount of precipitation needed to get out of drought.
Useful for understanding precipitation deficits, or lack thereof, over a relatively short period of time (365 days or less).
Users can view precipitation statistics by climate division.Slide12
How to use itSlide13
Global Climate Dashboard (NOAA)
Description:
Interactive display gives viewer a look at global climate conditions over different periods of time such as temperature, carbon dioxide, spring snow cover, sea level, arctic sea ice and more.Slide14Slide15
Drought Risk Atlas (NDMC)
Purpose:
To provide “a wide range of decision makers with historical drought information and a web-based tool to visualize and assess their risk to drought.” (NDMC)Slide16
Drought Risk Atlas (NDMC)
Applications of the tool:
Compare a current or past drought to another past drought (e.g., How did the 2010-current drought compare to the drought during the Dust Bowl?).
Can view the U.S. Drought Monitor and other drought indices such as PDSI, SPI, etc.
Dusty cotton field in Texas, March 2014. Source: Tim Benson
Farm in Texas Panhandle during Dust Bowl. Source:
Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration-Office of War Information Collection. Slide17
Oklahoma’s Climate: Long-Term Averages and Extremes (OCS)
Description:
Maps and graphs that provide long-term data on temperature, precipitation, snowfall, tornadoes, etc. for Oklahoma.Slide18Slide19Slide20
Weather Observation Networks
ASOS
–
A
utomated
S
urface
O
bserving
S
ystem
The nation’s primary surface weather observing network.
A joint effort between the National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Defense.
Operates 24/7, 365 days per year.
NOAASlide21
Weather Observation
Networks
COOP
(Pronounced “co-op”) –
NWS
Coop
erative Observer Program
Program dates back to 1870.
C
onsists of almost 11,000 volunteers across the nation.
Daily max/min temperature, snowfall, and 24-hour precipitation totals.
NWSSlide22
Weather Observation
Networks
Cocorahs
–
Co
mmunity
Co
llaborative
Ra
in,
H
ail &
S
now Network
“Volunteers
working together to measure precipitation across the nation
.”
Established in
1998.
P
recipitation record.Slide23
Current Conditions
Monitoring ToolsSlide24
Already Mentioned
U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC)
Heat Index and Wind Chill Charts (NWS)Slide25
Oklahoma Mesonet - Oklahoma Weather Observation Network Slide26
The Oklahoma Mesonet app is FREE!
Content goes here
List item 1
List item 2
List item 3Slide27
Other useful mobile apps:
iMap
Weather Radio ($10)
Pushes NWS weather alerts to your phone like a NOAA weather radio.
Both sold by Weather Decision Technologies in Norman, OK
RadarScope
($10)
Specialized high resolution radar data and derived products for the entire country.Slide28
Oklahoma Mesonet
Basic weather information such as temperature, precipitation, winds, and
dewpoint
, etc.
Maps and graphs.
Some climatological information.Slide29Slide30Slide31
Burning Index (Fire Conditions)
The Burning Index (BI) represents potential fire conditions in response
to short term meteorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.
A satellite measure of
vegetative health (greenness)
and a fuel model for native
vegetation are also incorporated.
The BI infers fire line
intensity and flame length. The
higher the number, the more
difficult it is to fight a wildfire.Slide32
Burning Index
LegendSlide33
River Forecast Center Products (NWS)
Description:
Provides flood observation and forecast data. Slide34
How to use itSlide35
How to use it
LegendSlide36
Future Conditions
Forecasting ToolsSlide37
Already Mentioned
SPIA IndexSlide38
Climate Prediction Center Outlooks (NWS)
Description:
Users can obtain temperature and precipitation outlooks for seasonal timescales, as well as drought outlooks.Slide39
Example:
One Month
Outlook - Precipitation
Probability of above or below average precipitation during the period (e.g., July 2014).
Keep lead time and forecast period in mind when interpreting.
“EC” does not mean normal/average!Slide40
Example:
Three Month
Outlook - Temperature
Probability of above or below average temperatures during the period (e.g., July-August-Sept).
Keep lead time and forecast period in mind when interpreting.
“EC” does not mean normal/average
!Slide41
Uses of CPC Seasonal Outlooks
Temperature and precipitation outlooks can be monitored for determining whether drought conditions may persist.
Example: A chance of
above normal
temperatures coupled with
below normal
rainfall could lead to drought intensification.
Example: A chance of
below normal
temperatures coupled with
normal
rainfall could lead to less evaporation.Slide42
Example: Seasonal Drought Outlook
A forecast for whether drought will improve or get worse.
Keep forecast period in mind when interpreting.Slide43
Questions?