Weather And Climate Inventory National Park Service .
National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the InteriorNatural Resource Program CenterWeather and Climate InventoryNational Park ServiceSonoran Desert NetworkNatural Resource Technical Report NPS/SODN/NRTR—2007/044
ON THE COVERWeather station at Chiricahua National MonumentPhotograph copyrighted by Greg McCurdy
Weather and Climate InventoryNational Park ServiceSonoran Desert NetworkNatural Resource Technical Report NPS/SODN/NRTR—2007/044WRCC Report 2007-19Christopher A. Davey, Kelly T. Redmond, and David B. SimeralWestern Regional Climate CenterDesert Research Institute2215 Raggio ParkwayReno, Nevada 89512-1095June 2007U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNatural Resource Program CenterFort Collins, Colorado
The Natural Resource Publication series addresses natural resource topics that are of interest andapplicability to a broad readership in the National Park Service and to others in the managementof natural resources, including the scientific community, the public, and the National ParkService conservation and environmental constituencies. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed to ensurethat the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for theintended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.The Natural Resources Technical Reports series is used to disseminate the peer-reviewed resultsof scientific studies in the physical, biological, and social sciences for both the advancement ofscience and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The reports providecontributors with a forum for displaying comprehensive data that are often deleted from journalsbecause of page limitations. Current examples of such reports include the results of research thataddress natural resource management issues; natural resource inventory and monitoringactivities; resource assessment reports; scientific literature reviews; and peer-reviewedproceedings of technical workshops, conferences, or symposia.Views and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflectpolicies of the National Park Service. Mention of trade names or commercial products does notconstitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the National Park Service.Printed copies of reports in these series may be produced in a limited quantity and they are onlyavailable as long as the supply lasts. This report is also available from the Natural ResourcePublications Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/NRPM) on theInternet or by sending a request to the address on the back cover.Please cite this publication as follows:Davey, C. A., K. T. Redmond, and D. B. Simeral. 2007. Weather and ClimateInventory, National Park Service, Sonoran Desert Network. Natural ResourceTechnical Report NPS/SODN/NRTR—2007/044. National Park Service, FortCollins, Colorado.NPS/SODN/NRTR—2007/044, June 2007ii
ContentsPageFigures . vTables . viAppendixes . viiAcronyms . viiiExecutive Summary . xAcknowledgements . xii1.0. Introduction . 11.1. Network Terminology . 21.2. Weather versus Climate Definitions . 41.3. Purpose of Measurements . 41.4. Design of Climate-Monitoring Programs . 52.0. Climate Background . 102.1. Climate and the SODN Environment . 102.2. Spatial Variability . 122.3. Temporal Variability . 182.4. Parameter Regression on Independent Slopes Model . 183.0. Methods . 223.1. Metadata Retrieval . 223.2. Criteria for Locating Stations . 244.0. Station Inventory . 264.1. Climate and Weather Networks . 264.2. Station Locations . 29iii
Contents (continued)Page5.0. Conclusions and Recommendations . 475.1. Sonoran Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network . 475.2. Spatial Variations in Mean Climate . 485.3. Climate Change Detection . 485.4. Aesthetics . 485.5. Information Access . 495.6. Summarized Conclusions and Recommendations . 496.0. Literature Cited . 51iv
FiguresPageFigure 1.1. Map of the Sonoran Desert Network . 3Figure 2.1. Mean monthly precipitation at selected locations in the SODN . 11Figure 2.2. Mean annual precipitation, 1961–1990, for the SODN . 13Figure 2.3. Mean July precipitation, 1961–1990, for the SODN . 14Figure 2.4. Mean annual temperature, 1961–1990, for the SODN . 15Figure 2.5. Mean July maximum temperature, 1961–1990, for the SODN . 16Figure 2.6. Mean January minimum temperature, 1961–1990, for the SODN . 17Figure 2.7. Precipitation time series, 1895-2005, for selected regionsin the SODN . 19Figure 2.8. Temperature time series, 1895-2005, for selected regionsin the SODN . 20Figure 4.1. Station locations for the northern SODN park units . 33Figure 4.2. Station locations for the southern SODN park units . 42v
TablesPageTable 1.1. Park units in the SODN . 2Table 3.1. Primary metadata fields for SODN weather and climate stations . 23Table 4.1. Weather and climate networks represented within the SODN . 26Table 4.2. Number of stations within or nearby SODN park units . 30Table 4.3. Weather and climate stations for the northern SODN park units . 31Table 4.4. Weather and climate stations for the southern SODN park units . 35vi
AppendixesPageAppendix A. Glossary . 56Appendix B. Climate-monitoring principles . 58Appendix C. Factors in operating a climate network . 61Appendix D. General design considerations for weather/climate-monitoring programs . 64Appendix E. Master metadata field list . 84Appendix F.Electronic supplements . 86Appendix G. Descriptions of weather/climate-monitoring networks . 87vii
AcronymsAASCACISASOSAWOSALERTAZ RCSNRCS-SCAmerican Association of State ClimatologistsApplied Climate Information SystemAutomated Surface Observing SystemAutomated Weather Observing SystemAutomated Local Evaluation in Real TimeThe Arizona ALERT networkThe Arizona Meteorological NetworkBureau of Land ManagementCasa Grande Ruins National MonumentClean Air Status and Trends NetworkChiricahua National MonumentCooperative Observer ProgramCoronado National MemorialColorado River Basin Forecast CenterClimate Reference NetworkCitizen Weather Observer ProgramDouble-Fence Intercomparison Referencedaylight savings timeEl Niño Southern OscillationEnvironmental Protection AgencyFederal Aviation AdministrationFederal Information Processing StandardsFort Bowie National Historic SiteGila Cliff Dwellings National MonumentGreenwich Mean TimeGeostationary Operational Environmental SatelliteNPS Gaseous Pollutant Monitoring ProgramGlobal Positioning SystemNOAA ground-based GPS meteorologyNPS Inventory and Monitoring ProgramLow Earth Orbitlocal standard timeMercury Deposition NetworkMexico weather/climate stationsMontezuma Castle National MonumentNational Atmospheric Deposition ProgramNorth American Monsoon SystemNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Climatic Data CenterNetwork Common Data FormNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNational Park ServiceNatural Resources Conservation ServiceNRCS snowcourse networkviii
ONTTUMATUZIUCCUSDAUSGSUTCWBANWMOWRCCWX4UNational Weather ServiceOrgan Pipe Cactus National MonumentPacific Decadal OscillationParameter Regression on Independent Slopes ModelRemote Automated Weather Station networkregional climate centerSaguaro National ParkSurface Airways Observation networkSummary Of the DaySonoran Desert Inventory and Monitoring NetworkSurface Radiation Budget networkSnowfall Telemetry networkTonto National MonumentTumacacori National Historical ParkTuzigoot National MonumentUtah Climate CenterU.S. Department of AgricultureU.S. Geological SurveyCoordinated Universal TimeWeather Bureau Army NavyWorld Meteorological OrganizationWestern Regional Climate CenterWeather For You networkix
Executive SummaryClimate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the SonoranDesert Inventory and Monitoring Network (SODN). The climate of the SODN is characterizedby little precipitation along with temperature extremes. Winter temperatures are generally mildand summers are quite hot across the SODN. The SODN exhibits a unique bimodal precipitationregime and steep topographic gradients, which in turn supports a high level of biologicaldiversity. Precipitation typically increases dramatically with elevation in the SODN, due to theorographic effects of the Sonoran Desert “sky islands.” Both El Niño Southern Oscillation(ENSO) variations and passages of tropical storm remnants influence interannual climatevariations in the SODN, particularly regarding precipitation. The potential impacts of climatechange in the SODN to sensitive ecosystems, endemic species, and threatened or endangeredspecies are of particular concern. Because of its influence on the ecology of SODN park unitsand the surrounding areas, climate was identified as a high-priority vital sign for SODN and isone of the 12 basic inventories to be completed for all National Park Service (NPS) Inventoryand Monitoring Program (I&M) networks.This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the SODN.In this report, we provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to SODN park units. Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near SODN park units relevant tothe NPS I&M Program. Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations forweather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, andinformation about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.). Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations andrecommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.Mean annual precipitation in the SODN park units ranges from under 300 mm in Organ PipeCactus National Monument (ORPI) to almost 750 mm in southeastern Arizona park units likeChiricahua National Monument (CHIR) and Saguaro National Park (SAGU). This precipitationgenerally falls in the form of rain, with some snow during the winter months at the higherelevations. Much of the precipitation throughout eastern SODN is associated with the summermonsoon. Mean annual temperatures in the SODN range from around 10 C at Gila CliffDwellings National Monument (GICL) to over 20 C in western portions of ORPI. Summertemperatures are quite high, regularly exceeding 40 C at lower elevations. Events in the tropicalPacific and northern Pacific Ocean are linked to variations in temperature and precipitationacross the SODN. During El Niño events, the SODN generally receives above-normalprecipitation due to the dominant winter storm track being shifted further south than in anaverage winter. The frequency and intensity of ENSO events could increase dramatically inupcoming years in response to projected climate changes. Precipitation shows no obvious trendover time, but temperatures in the SODN have become warmer, especially in the last fewdecades. This signal is most noticeable in northern SODN.x
Through a search of national databases and inquiries to NPS staff, we identified 39 weather andclimate stations within SODN park units. The most stations within park boundaries were foundin ORPI (14). Most weather and climate stations identified for SODN park units had metadataand data records that are sufficiently complete and satisfactory in quality.Much of the desert environment around SODN park units has little or no weather or climatestation coverage, particularly for those units that are not near major cities such as Phoenix andTucson. For example, we only identified six stations within 40 km of the boundaries of ORPI.Fortunately, ORPI has an active network of weather stations within its boundaries, providingvaluable weather data across the desert landscape of ORPI.Many of the SODN park units are quite small and must therefore rely heavily on outside sourcesof weather and climate data. This is particularly true for near-real-time data. Two park units, FortBowie National Historic Site (FOBO) and Tonto National Monument (TONT), have no weatheror climate stations within their boundaries. There are no near-real-time stations within 15 km ofFOBO. If near-real-time weather data is desired from FOBO, the park unit could considerworking with local agencies to install a RAWS (Remote Automated Weather Station) site, as theRAWS network already has a notable presence in the area. Due to the relatively close proximityof CHIR and FOBO to each other, FOBO can also rely on stations identified in and near CHIRfor its weather and climate data. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument (CAGR) and SAGU arelocated near more urban settings (CAGR – southeast Phoenix/Mesa; SAGU – Tucson) and cantake advantage of weather and climate data provided by numerous stations in these areas.Despite the limited station coverage in and around many SODN park units, many of these samepark units have at least one reliable long-term climate station located within their boundaries.This situation is very helpful in meeting the SODN climate monitoring objective of documentinglong-term trends in temperature and precipitation. Other climate monitoring objectives of theSODN include better documentation of spatial weather and climate variations, particularly atlocal scales with respect to topographical variations in and around SODN park units. Some parkunits, such as ORPI and the eastern unit of SAGU, are already actively establishing weatherstation networks to help meet this objective. However, other larger park units in the SODN, suchas the western unit of SAGU, are still lacking sufficient station coverage to begin addressingspatial weather and climate characteristics. We identified no near-real-time stations within thewestern unit of SAGU. The closest automated data for this unit comes from the CRN (ClimateReference Network) station “Tucson 11 W.” Although observations from this site are probablysufficient at the present time to document overall near-real-time conditions within the westernunit of SAGU, additional weather stations would be needed to better understand local-scalecharacteristics such as the spatial distribution of precipitation during convective storms in thesummer monsoon season. Expansion of the NPS-operated networks of weather stations such asthose already in place in ORPI and eastern SAGU could help address this issue.xi
AcknowledgementsThis work was supported and completed under Task Agreement H8R07010001, with the GreatBasin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. We would like to acknowledge very helpfulassistance from various National Park Service personnel associated with the Sonoran DesertInventory and Monitoring Network. Particular thanks are extended to Debbie Angell and AndiHubbard. We also thank John Gross, Margaret Beer, Grant Kelly, Greg McCurdy, and HeatherAngeloff for all their help. Seth Gutman with the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration Earth Systems Research Laboratory provided valuable input on the GPS-METstation network. Portions of the work were supported by the NOAA Western Regional ClimateCenter.xii
1.0. IntroductionWeather and climate are key drivers in ecosystem structure and function. Global- and regionalscale climate variations will have a tremendous impact on natural systems (Chapin et al. 1996;Schlesinger 1997; Jacobson et al. 2000; Bonan 2002). Proper understanding of ecosystemdynamics requires an understanding of the roles of climate variability, hydrologic interactionswith soils, and adaptive strategies of biota to capi
precipitation due to the dominant winter storm track being shifted further south than in an average winter. The frequency and intensity of ENSO events could increase dramatically in
6/30/2019 1 Physical Geography: Weather and Climate Chapter 4 Weather vs. Climate Weather –short-term, day-to-day expression of atmospheric processes Ex. - Today is clear, cold and sunny Climate –long-term, average conditions Usually at least 30 years of daily weather data (temperatures and precipitation)
Weather instruments are used to measure and record the weather. Weather instruments can be found in weather stations on land. The Met Office has hundreds of weather stations all over the UK. Weather instruments are also found at sea. They are found on some ships, but mainly on weather buoys designed to monitor weather and sea conditions.
weather/climate spectrum. This chapter provides basic information to understand weather, climate, climate variability and climate change, and then discusses some analytical methods used to address the unique challenges presented when study-ing these exposures. CHAPTER 2 Weather and climate:
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Weather and Climate 6 2275 Speedway, Mail Code C9000 Austin, TX 78712 (512) 471-5847 www.esi.utexas.edu 6. Compare the weather in your city and the area (climate). Weather Type Your City Area (classroom average) 7. Create a graph showing the weather in your city vs. the climate
Weather VS. Climate Climate describes average weather conditions over longer periods and over large areas.Ex : Mediterranean climate (hot dry summer, cool wet winters) Weather describes the day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere. Weather can change quickly - one day it
Unit 2 Weather 5 LESSON 1 Today’s Weather BIG IDEAS Weather affects the way we live, what we eat and wear and how we feel. We can describe weather conditions by using mathematics. LESSON 2 What Makes Weather? BIG IDEAS The sun heating the earth and its atmosphere causes the weather. We feel weather as wind, heat or cold, and humidity in the form of rain,
Weather instruments Weather data Working definition of weather . 4.1-3 PROCEDURES 1. Have the students work in small groups to make concept maps about weather. Have them Include different kinds of weather, tools used to measure weather, and any other ideas they have about weather.
