Measuring the Weather

Today's easy access to the internet makes it possible for anyone to contribute their weather station data to national and regional weather databases. For example, the Citizen Weather Observer Program is a private-public partnership with three main goals: (1) to collect weather data contributed by private citizens; (2) to make these data available for public weather services; and (3) to provide feedback to the data contributors so that they have the tools to improve the quality of their data. If you have a weather station and access to the internet, you can participate. Your real-time data will be used in NOAA weather prediction models and appear on their mesonet web page. Making your data available is simple and free. Information on how to join is available from the WX4NHC amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center.

The first internet weather service started at the University of Michigan in 1991 as a menu-based telnet interface that displayed real-time weather information around the world. In late spring of 1995, the Weather Underground Inc evolved as a commercial entity separate from the university. By fall, the official web site was launched.

Their personal weather station project displays local weather station data at the bottom of each city's forecast page, with a link to the station owner's webpage if available.

The WeatherBug Network includes more than 8,000 schools across the U.S. operating easy-to-use stations that integrate live, local weather data and technology into classroom learning. The WeatherBug Tracking Station is a state-of-the-art weather monitoring system that's so simple even a child can use it. And WeatherBug Achieve, an online teaching tool, automatically embeds live weather readings and images from the WeatherBug network into pre-made, interactive lessons.

Even if you don't own your own weather station, you can contribute to the advancement of weather science by joining ClimatePrediction.net, a distributed computing project that allows personal computer users to participate in the world's largest climate prediction experiment. Each participant runs their own unique version of a state-of-the-art climate model, simulating several decades of the Earth's climate at a time. The model runs as a background process on ordinary desktop computers and will not affect other computing tasks. At the end of the experiment results are sent back via the internet. Simulations of present climate and past changes will be used to test different model versions and the most realistic will be used to predict the climate of the twenty-first century.

You love lying in the park on a summer's day and looking for shapes in the cumulus clouds. You think a mackerel sky of puffy altocumulus stretching off towards the setting sun is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. In short, you love clouds. And yet everyone else just seems to complain about them. Are you the only one who thinks life would be poorer without these glorious 'patron goddesses of idle fellows'? No, you're not. There are others like you. Join them and become a member of the Cloud Appreciation Society.

"The reason lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place is that the same place isn't there the second time." -Willie Tyler



Introduction to Lightning - NWS JetStream Online Weather School

Lightning Library - West Virginia Lightning

Lightning Safety - The National Weather Service

National Athletic Trainers Association Position Statement: Lightning Safety for Athletics and Recreation - Journal of Athletic Training, Dec 2000 (PDF)

The Human Effects of Lightning Strikes and Recommendations for Storm Chasers - William T. Hark, M.D.

Thunderstorms and Camping Safety - Chuck Doswell

Lightning Photography Tips - Chuck Doswell

Lightning and Boats - NOAA/Sea Grant NCU-G-95-004 (PDF)

SkyScan - Handheld Lightning Detector

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from a nearby National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts weather warnings, watches, and forecasts, and other hazard information, 24 hours a day. It is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, part of the Department of Commerce, and includes more than 940 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories.

Weatheradio Canada broadcasts weather and environmental information 24 hours a day in both official languages directly from Environment Canada's storm prediction centres.

Skywarn is the spotter training program developed and sponsored by the National Weather Service. In areas where tornadoes and other severe weather is a frequent concern, the NWS recruits volunteers, trains them in storm identification and spotting procedures, and subsequently accepts the spotter's reports during episodes of severe weather. By utilizing the Skywarn volunteers, the NWS has "eyes and ears" throughout the affected area in conjunction with NWS sophisticated remote sensing equipment.

Stormtrack: Skywarn - Answers some frequently asked questions about how to get started.

Index to Skywarn Pages on the Internet - List of Skywarn-related web sites located across the United States, sorted alphabetically by state, then by county.

National Skywarn Forum - Hosts discussions on topics such as storm spotting, training materials and events, ham radio equipment, ARES/RACES, vehicle tech, and frequencies.

eSpotter - A system being developed by the National Weather Service to enhance timely and accurate online spotter reporting and communications between spotters and their local weather forecast offices.

A Comprehensive Glossary of Weather Terms for Storm Spotters - From the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma.

Basic Spotter's Field Guide (PDF) - National Weather Service
Advanced Spotter's Field Guide (PDF) - National Weather Service
Severe Weather Watcher Handbook - Environment Canada

National Weather Service Skywarn Recognition Day - During this annual event hams across the country try to contact as many NWS offices as possible using their radio equipment.

Skywarn UK
Canwarn

Heat Index "Equation" (or, More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Heat Index) - Lans P. Rothfusz, National Weather Service (PDF 15KB)

Heat Index - Wikipedia

Heat Index Calculator - National Weather Service, Jackson, Kentucky

Extreme Heat - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Heat Related Illnesses - American Family Physician, September 1998

Heat Stress - OSHA Technical Manual, Section III, Chapter 4

Heat Stress Brochure - Wildland Fire Safety, USDA Forest Service

Heat Injury Prevention - US Army Center for Health Promotion & Preventive Medicine

Heat Stress Risks and Exercise Guidelines - About.com

Running in the Heat - Dr. Stephen M. Pribut

National Weather Service Wind Chill Temperature Index - In 2001 the NWS implemented an updated wind chill temperature (WCT) index.

Environment Canada's Windchill Program - The Canadian index has been harmonized with that used in the United States, although the Celsius scale is used in Canada and the Fahrenheit scale in the US.

Report on Wind Chill Temperature and Extreme Heat Indices:
Evaluation and Improvement Projects - Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

Javascript Wind Chill Calculator - National Weather Service

Wind Chill - Wikipedia