Kevin A. Kloesel

Statewide Monitoring of the Mesoscale Environment: A Technical Update on the Oklahoma Mesonet

Abstract Established as a multipurpose network, the Oklahoma Mesonet operates more than 110 surface observing stations that send data every 5 min to an operations center for data quality assurance, product generation, and dissemination. Quality-assured data are available within 5 min of the observation time. Since 1994, the Oklahoma Mesonet has collected 3.5 billion weather and soil observations and produced millions of decision-making products for its customers.

OK-FIRST: A Meteorological Information System for Public Safety

The Oklahoma Climatological Survey has supported local public safety agencies (fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency management) through its OK-FIRST program since 1996. OK-FIRST provides real-time use of weather data to help public safety agencies fulfill their respective operational missions. Users are taught how to interpret and apply weather data in their operations. The OK-FIRST system has been applied during a wide variety of weather events, including severe weather, floods, wildfires, and hazardous materials incidents.

OK-FIRST: An Example of Successful Collaboration between the Meteorological and Emergency Response Communities on 3 May 1999

Abstract The Oklahoma Climatological Survey began an initiative known as Oklahomas First-Response Information System using Telecommunications (OK-FIRST) in 1996 to support local public-safety agencies (fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency management). OK-FIRST provides participant agencies with a wealth of real-time weather information and instruction for these users on the interpretation and application of the data in their operations. The 3 May 1999 tornado outbreak was a critical test for the OK-FIRST system. Users of OK-FIRST prevented the tragedy from becoming worse by making informed decisions that protected life and property.

A 70-Year History of Marine Stratocumulus Cloud Field Experiments off the Coast of California

Abstract On 10 September 1923, the first research aircraft flight to investigate marine stratocumulus clouds took place. As we approach the 70th anniversary of this historic flight, it is important to look back at what we have learned from the field experiments designed to study these clouds, both in cloud-data analysis and in field-experiment methodology. In this note, marine stratus and stratocumulus field experiments conducted off the coast of California are reviewed.

Benefits and Beneficiaries of the Oklahoma Mesonet: A Multisectoral Ripple Effect Analysis

AbstractSince the Oklahoma Mesonet (the state’s automated mesoscale weather station network) was established in 1994, it has served a number of diverse groups and provided public services to foster weather preparedness, education, and public safety, while also supporting decision-making in agricultural production and wildland fire management.With 121 monitoring stations across the state, the Oklahoma Mesonet has developed an array of technologies to observe a variety of atmospheric and soil variables in 5- to 30-min intervals. These consistent observations have been especially critical for predicting and preparing for extreme weather events like droughts, floods, ice storms, and severe convective storms as well as for development of value-added tools. The tools, outreach programs, and mesoscale data have been widely utilized by the general public, state decision-makers, public safety officials, K–12 community, agricultural sector, and researchers, thus generating wide societal and economic benefits to man...

The Evolution and Impact of a Meteorological Outreach Program for Public Safety Officials: An Update on the Oklahoma Mesonet’s OK-First Program

Capsule SummaryWeather education and data delivery to the public safety community have been the hallmark of the Oklahoma Mesonet’s OK-First program for the past 20 years.

Implementation of NOAA Direct Readout Satellite Data Capabilities in Florida's Public Schools

In 1992 a precollege outreach program designed to bring weather satellite imagery into the classroom was developed jointly by the Florida Technological Research and Development Authority and The Florida State University Department of Meteorology. This initiative incorporates the NOAA Direct Readout Satellite-data ingest program into Florida public school districts for the enhancement of education in a variety of curriculum areas.