BOREAS AES READAC Surface Meteorological Data Summary Canadian AES personnel collected and processed data related to surface atmospheric meteorological conditions over the BOREAS region. This data set contains 15 minute meteorological data from one READAC meteorology station in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. Parameters include day, time, type of report, sky condition, visibility, mean sea level pressure, temperature, dewpoint, wind, altimeter, opacity, minimum and maximum visibility, station pressure, minimum and maximum air temperature, a wind group, precipitation, and precipitation in the last hour. The data were collected non-continuously from 24-May-1994 to 20- Sep-1994. The data are provided in tabular ASCII files. Table of Contents * 1 Data Set Overview * 2 Investigator(s) * 3 Theory of Measurements * 4 Equipment * 5 Data Acquisition Methods * 6 Observations * 7 Data Description * 8 Data Organization * 9 Data Manipulations * 10 Errors * 11 Notes * 12 Application of the Data Set * 13 Future Modifications and Plans * 14 Software * 15 Data Access * 16 Output Products and Availability * 17 References * 18 Glossary of Terms * 19 List of Acronyms * 20 Document Information 1. Data Set Overview 1.1 Data Set Identification BOREAS AES READAC Surface Meteorological Data 1.2 Data Set Introduction This data set contains 15-minute meteorological data from one Remote Environmental Automated Data Acquisition Concept (READAC) meteorology station in the BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) region in Canada. Parameters include day, time, type of report, sky condition, visibility, mean sea level pressure, temperature, dewpoint, wind, altimeter, opacity, minimum and maximum visibility, station pressure, minimum and maximum air temperature, a wind group, precipitation, and precipitation in the last hour. 1.3 Objective/Purpose These monitoring sites were established by Environment Canada to provide hourly weather reports, input to the operational program of forecasts and warnings, input to operational weather prediction models, and climate data. The frequency of observation was increased to 15 minutes at the request of BOREAS. Data collection for BOREAS occurred during IFCs 1, 2, and 3. 1.4 Summary of Parameters Included parameters are day, time, type of report, sky condition, visibility, mean sea level pressure, temperature, dewpoint, wind, altimeter, opacity, minimum and maximum visibility, station pressure, minimum and maximum air temperature, wind group, precipitation, and precipitation in the last hour. 1.5 Discussion This station was installed before BOREAS began in order to meet the goals of Environment Canada, and it conforms to Environment Canada's criteria for accuracy and exposure. 1.6 Related Data Sets BOREAS AFM-07 SRC Surface Meteorological Data BOREAS AES MARSII Surface Meteorological Data BOREAS AES Campbell Scientific Surface Meteorological Data 2. Investigator(s) 2.1 Investigator(s) Name and Title G. Barrie Atkinson (Retired) BOREAS Project Scientist 2.2 Title of Investigation Environment Canada 15-Minute Autostation Data 2.3 Contact Information Contact 1 G. Barrie Atkinson (Retired) BOREAS Project Scientist Environment Canada Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada (204) 983-6059 (204) 983-4884 (fax) Contact 2 Barry Funk Supervisor, Special Programs Environment Canada Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada (204) 983-2018 (204) 984-2072 (fax) Barry.Funk@gc.ec.ca Contact 3 David Knapp Raytheon STX Corporation NASA GSFC Greenbelt, MD (301) 286-0544 (301) 286-0239 (fax) David.Knapp@gsfc.nasa.gov 3. Theory of Measurements None given. 4. Equipment 4.1 Sensor/Instrument Description Parameter Instrumentation Pressure Sentra 270 (2) The two are compared for each reading. Cloud Model 8329A Qualimetrics laser ceilometer Visibility Belfort 6200 Temperature YSI READAC thermister Dewcel Probe AES type E Radiation Shield Wooden Stevenson screen with wooden stand, Height 119 cm Precipitation Weighing gauge, Fisher and Porter, Height 194 cm, Altershield 196 cm Wind Direction 78D, Speed detector 78D, Cupwheel height 10 m, Tower tilting 4.1.1 Collection Environment The instruments operated during the summer of 1994 in the environmental conditions shown in the data. 4.1.2 Source/Platform None given. 4.1.3 Source/Platform Mission Objectives None given. 4.1.4 Key Variables Temperature, pressure, humidity, wind. 4.1.5 Principles of Operation None given. 4.1.6 Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry None given. 4.1.7 Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument None given. 4.2 Calibration 4.2.1 Specifications None given. 4.2.1.1 Tolerance None given. 4.2.2 Frequency of Calibration None given. 4.2.3 Other Calibration Information None given. 5. Data Acquisition Methods Since there is no provision for onboard storage of observations, the station was telephoned approximately every 15 minutes from a computer in Winnipeg and downloaded. 6. Observations 6.1 Data Notes None given. 6.2 Field Notes ZHB Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan (SK) Installation 21-Jun-1992 All instruments were verified after installation. The average differences from the inspection were: barometer was -0.01 mb for 10 readings; dry bulb temperature, -0.1 degrees C for 10 readings; dewpoint +0.46 degrees C for 10 readings. The Fisher and Porter weighing gauge was tested at 25-mm increments over the range 0-300 mm. The difference ranged from +1.2 mm to -0.8 mm with an average of +0.05 mm. 7. Data Description 7.1 Spatial Characteristics 7.1.1 Spatial Coverage ZHB Hudson Bay SK The Hudson Bay site is located at a latitude of 52 degrees, 49 minutes N; at a longitude of 102 degrees, 19 minutes W; and at an elevation of 358.1 meters. The site is located at the Hudson Bay airport, approximately 5 km south of the town of Hudson Bay, SK. The instruments are located in the 75 m (northwest to southeast) by 60 m (southwest to northeast) instrument area of the formerly manned weather station. The instrument area is level and grassed, with open exposure in all directions. The surrounding countryside is generally flat and forested. The Red Deer River is located approximately 0.7 km to the south. The airport is located in the shallow valley of the Red Deer River, which runs generally southwest to northeast. The valley is paralleled to the south by the Porcupine Hills, which rise to a height of 760 m above sea level approximately 48 km southeast, and to the north by the Pasquia Hills, which achieve a height of 817 m approximately 48 km northwest. 7.1.2 Spatial Coverage Map Not available. 7.1.3 Spatial Resolution These data were collected at a point location. 7.1.4 Projection Not applicable. 7.1.5 Grid Description Not applicable. 7.2 Temporal Characteristics 7.2.1 Temporal Coverage Data are available from 24-May-1994 to 25-Jun-1994 and from 19-Jul-1994 to 20-Sep-1994. 7.2.2 Temporal Coverage Map Not available. 7.2.3 Temporal Resolution Data were collected approximately every 15 minutes. 7.3 Data Characteristics Data characteristics are defined in the companion data definition file (readac_d.def). 7.4 Sample Data Record Sample data format shown in the companion data definition file (readac_d.def). 8. Data Organization 8.1 Data Granularity All of the READAC Surface Meteorological Data are contained in one dataset. 8.2 Data Format(s) The data files contain a series of numerical and character fields of varying length separated by commas. The character fields are enclosed within single apostrophe marks. There are no spaces between fields. Sample data records are shown in the companion data definition file (readac_d.def). 9. Data Manipulations 9.1 Formulae None given. 9.1.1 Derivation Techniques and Algorithms None given. 9.2 Data Processing Sequence 9.2.1 Processing Steps None given. 9.2.2 Processing Changes 'RAW' data have many extraneous characters, which were removed. Each record was checked for completeness. 9.3 Calculations No calculations were performed on the data. 9.3.1 Special Corrections/Adjustments None given. 9.3.2 Calculated Variables None given. 9.4 Graphs and Plots None. 10. Errors 10.1 Sources of Error None given. 10.2 Quality Assessment 10.2.1 Data Validation by Source None given. 10.2.2 Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgment None given. 10.2.3 Measurement Error for Parameters None given. 10.2.4 Additional Quality Assessments None given. 10.2.5 Data Verification by Data Center Some automated quality assessment was done to identify spikes and other anomalies in the data. These anomalies are also present in the original data and are not due to BOREAS Information System (BORIS) processing. 11. Notes 11.1 Limitations of the Data None given. 11.2 Known Problems with the Data Weighing gauges are known to give readings of poorer quality than tipping bucket gauges. However, they do work in winter. Some automated quality assessment was done to identify spikes and other anomalies in the data. These anomalies are also present in the original data and are not due to BOREAS Information System (BORIS) processing. The following are a few examples of some anomalies that were detected for the various columns of data. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. REPORT Because this column contains character data, no quantitative assessment was done. The data appear to be correct. SKY_COVER Because this column contains character data, no quantitative assessment was done. The data appear to be correct. VISIBILITY Because this column contains character data, no quantitative assessment was done. The data appear to be correct. AIR_TEMP_1_5_M No problems were identified. DEW_TEMP_1_5M No problems were identified. MEAN_WIND_10M_2MIN Because this column contains character data, no quantitative assessment was done. The data appear to be correct. ALTIMETER These data appear to be reasonable. OPACITY Because this column contains character data, no quantitative assessment was done. The data appear to be correct. VISIBILITY_MIN_MAX Because this column contains character data, no quantitative assessment was done. The data appear to be correct. STN_PRESS No anomalies were identified. AIR_TEMP_MIN No serious anomalies were identified, but some questionable values were found that could not be verified for accuracy. AIR_TEMP_MAX No serious anomalies were identified, but some questionable values were found that could not be verified for accuracy. WIND_GROUP_10M Because this column contains character data, no quantitative assessment was done. The data appear to be correct. ACCUM_PRECIP No serious anomalies were identified. PRECIP_LAST_HOUR No serious anomalies were identified. 11.3 Usage Guidance None given. 11.4 Other Relevant Information None given. 12. Application of the Data Set None given. 13. Future Modifications and Plans None given. 14. Software 14.1 Software Description None given. 14.2 Software Access None given. 15. Data Access 15.1 Contact Information Ms. Beth Nelson BOREAS Data Manager NASA GSFC Greenbelt, MD (301) 286-4005 (301) 286-0239 (fax) Elizabeth.Nelson@gsfc.nasa.gov 15.2 Data Center Identification See Section 15.1. 15.3 Procedures for Obtaining Data Users may place requests by telephone, electronic mail, or fax. 15.4 Data Center Status/Plans The AES READAC data are available from the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC). The BOREAS contact at ORNL is: ORNL DAAC User Services Oak Ridge National Laboratory (865) 241-3952 ornldaac@ornl.gov ornl@eos.nasa.gov 16. Output Products and Availability 16.1 Tape Products None. 16.2 Film Products None. 16.3 Other Products Tabular ASCII file. 17. References 17.1 Platform/Sensor/Instrument/Data Processing Documentation 21X Micrologger Operator's Manual, Revision 8/91. Campbell Scientific, Inc. 17.2 Journal Articles and Study Reports Sellers, P. and F. Hall. 1994. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment Plan. Version 1994-3.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 94). Sellers, P. and F. Hall. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment Plan. Version 1996-2.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 96). Sellers, P. and F. Hall. 1997. BOREAS Overview Paper. JGR Special Issue. Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1994 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPS DOC 94). Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1997. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1996 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPS DOC 96). Sellers, P., F. Hall, H. Margolis, B. Kelly, D. Baldocchi, G. den Hartog, J. Cihlar, M.G. Ryan, B. Goodison, P. Crill, K.J. Ranson, D. Lettenmaier, and D.E. Wickland. 1995. The boreal ecosystem-atmosphere study (BOREAS): an overview and early results from the 1994 field year. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 76(9):1549-1577. Sellers, P.J., F.G. Hall, R.D. Kelly, A. Black, D. Baldocchi, J. Berry, M. Ryan, K.J. Ranson, P.M. Crill, D.P. Lettenmaier, H. Margolis, J. Cihlar, J. Newcomer, D. Fitzjarrald, P.G. Jarvis, S.T. Gower, D. Halliwell, D. Williams, B. Goodison, D.E. Wickland, and F.E. Guertin. 1997. BOREAS in 1997: Experiment Overview, Scientific Results and Future Directions. JGR, BOREAS Special Issue, 102(D24), Dec. 1997, pp. 28731-28770. 17.3 Archive/DBMS Usage Documentation None. 18. Glossary of Terms None. 19. List of Acronyms AES - Atmospheric and Environment Service AFM - Airborne Fluxes and Meteorology BOREAS - BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study BORIS - BOREAS Information System CGR - Certified by Group CPI - Checked by PI CPI-??? - CPI but questionable DAAC - Distributed Active Archive Center EOS - Earth Observing System EOSDIS - EOS Data and Information System GSFC - Goddard Space Flight Center IFC - Intensive Field Campaign MARSII - Meteorological Automatic Reporting System II MB - Manitoba NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration NSA - Northern Study Area ORNL - Oak Ridge National Laboratory READAC - Remote Environmental Automated Data Acquisition Concept PANP - Prince Albert National Park PI - Principal Investigator PRE - Preliminary READAC - Remote Environmental Automated Data Acquisition Concept SK - Saskatchewan SSA - Southern Study Area TBRG - Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge T/RH - Temperature/Relative Humidity URL - Uniform Resource Locator 20. Document Information 20.1 Document Revision Date Written: 27-Jul-1995 Last Updated: 02-Jul-1998 20.2 Document Review Date(s) BORIS Review: 02-Jul-1998 Science Review: 20.3 Document ID 20.4 Citation These data were collected by the Atmospheric Environment Service of Environment Canada. Their efforts to make these data available are greatly appreciated. 20.5 Document Curator 20.6 Document URL KEYWORDS --------- SURFACE METEOROLOGY TEMPERATURE RELATIVE HUMIDITY WIND SPEED WIND DIRECTION ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE PRECIPITATION DEWPOINT CLOUD COVER AES_READAC.doc 07/07/98