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The Mesonet 2002 International Institute will present a comprehensive
program addressing the planning, design, funding, implementation,
and operation of a multi-purpose, mesoscale, atmospheric environmental
monitoring network.
The Oklahoma Climatological Survey has earned a world-class reputation
for its operation of a network of environmental monitoring stations
and its associated information infrastructure created and managed
by scientists at the University of Oklahoma and at Oklahoma State
University. The Oklahoma Mesonet work maintains more than 110 automated
observing sites with at least one Mesonet station in each of Oklahoma’s
77 counties. These stations continuously monitor weather and soil
conditions and report data every 15 minutes around the clock. Each
day, the Mesonet collects more than 80,000 observations, which contain
over 1.1 million individual pieces of data. From these and other
supplementary data sources, the Mesonet creates 156 unique web-based
products that are updated frequently throughout the day. The data
archives contain more than 2 billion pieces of information.
The Oklahoma Mesonet has been fully operational since January 1994,
has a data collection efficiency of 98.5%, and serves more than
1000 agencies and individual users across Oklahoma. This network
includes ~3,100 scientific instruments and ~1,500 additional pieces
of equipment. Operational activities include site and sensor maintenance,
data telecommunication and ingest, data quality assurance, data
archiving, generation of value-added products, and information dissemination.
The Mesonet 2002 Institute will provide a forum for sharing the
experiences and insights gained by the Oklahoma Mesonet team and
by other national experts. Technical program topics include site
selection criteria, instrument selection protocols, sensor maintenance
and calibration procedures, data logging and telecommunication methods,
quality assurance and archiving procedures, and design of customer
software and web-based products. Presenters will include not only
Mesonet staff, but also representatives of diverse user communities
(e.g., education, research, weather forecasting, emergency management,
agriculture, and natural resources). The participant will receive
a comprehensive notebook with all presentations and supporting documents
for their use.
The development of a network of this scope requires significant
resources, and financial challenges have been present since the
network’s inception. As part of Mesonet 2002, the Mesonet’s
leadership will join constituents and advocates in discussing funding
ideas and political processes for securing continued support.
The Mesonet 2002 International Institute will be held in downtown
Oklahoma City, June 23-26, 2002 at the Cox Business Services Convention
Center formally known as the Myriad Convention Center. Oklahoma
City is a surprise to many visitors and newcomers, with all the
friendliness of a small town and the amenities of our nation’s
biggest cities. And with over 50 attractions, museums, and other
activities, visitors will never be at a loss for fun things to see
and do. The Mesonet 2002 planning committee has developed an attractive
selection of day trips for accompanying family members and friends.
Venues include the Oklahoma City Zoo, the Oklahoma Museum of Natural
History, the Oklahoma City Memorial, and the Omniplex. The Mesonet
2002 banquet will be held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage
Museum, where you may tour this world-renowned facility at your
leisure.
We believe that you will find the Mesonet 2002 International Institute
to provide you and your colleagues the necessary technical and administrative
background to establish or upgrade a network in your state, nation,
or region.
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