SGP/OKM Overview of Automated QA - March 2000

Below is an overview from Chris Fiebrich, the Mesonet QA manager
of the automated quality assurance results for the March 2000
Oklahoma Mesonet data.

There are a few special events in the March Mesonet data that you may
want to be aware of.  These include:

Date    Station  Parameter(s)       
----    -------  ------------   
3/03    CLOU     WMAX           Gust to 89 mph during severe 
                                thunderstorm;  you can 
                                disregard the automated QA flag

3/02    ARNE     PRES           Mesolow caused ARNE to be 
                                spatially inconsistent with 
                                neighboring sites; disregard
                                the automated QA flags
===============================================================

       OKLAHOMA MESONETWORK/ARS QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT
       for the month of March, 2000

       Based upon observations taken at 1800 UTC each day

       Prepared by Chris Fiebrich (qamgr@redrock.ocs.ou.edu)

===============================================================
Notes:
One last ice storm...  Mother Nature coated much of western 
Oklahoma with freezing rain on March 16-17, causing upwards of 
40 wind monitors to freeze solid.  These observations were 
flagged in Qualparm to indicate their suspicious readings.

================================================================

TAIR    Current:        None
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None 

RELH    Current:        None 
        Added:          #4927 WASH Monthly QA indicates 1 C 
                              high TDEW bias
        Resolved:       None
 
WDIR    Current:        None 
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       #4890 TISH Repaired sensor stuck at
                              355 degrees  

WSPD    Current:        #4863 WOOD Data indicates low bias
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       #4862 NEWK Bearings found noisy and
                              replaced nose cone 

PRES    Current:        None
        Added:          #4920 ACME Monthly QA indicates 1 mb
                              high bias
                        #4921 JAYX Monthly QA indicates 1 mb
                              high bias
        Resolved:       None

SRAD    Current:        None
        Added:          #4924 WIST Monthly QA indicates 50 W/m^2
                              low bias
                        #4925 COPA Monthly QA indicates 75 W/m^2
                              low bias
                        #4926 MIAM Monthly QA continues to 
                              indicates 50 W/m^2 high bias
        Resolved:       #4831 MIAM Replaced sensor to correct
                              high bias

RAIN    Current:        None
        Added:          #4923 JAYX Check for possible clog
        Resolved:       #4901 FTCB Replaced reed switch that
                              was causing gauge to be stuck
                              at 0. 

TA9M    Current:        #4902 BYAR Sensor reporting 6 C
                              cool bias
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       #4873 WEAT Replaced bad logger port
                              to correct TA9M problem

WS2M    Current:        None
        Added:          None 
        Resolved:       #4879 NORM Corrected bent boom   

TS10    Current:        #4915 WEST Sensor warmer than
                              TS05 in the afternoon
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

TB10    Current:        None
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

TS05    Current:        #4916 WEST Sensor cooler than
                              TS10 in the afternoon
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       #4834 FORA Replaced sensor with cool
                        bias

TB05    Current:        #4872 WYNO Erosion problem over bare plot
        Added:          #4922 ANTL Possible erosion due to high
                              afternoon bias
                        #4928 MEDF Possible erosion due to high
                              afternoon bias
        Resolved:       None

TS30    Current:        None
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

----------------------------------------------------------------
                                ARS QA REPORT
----------------------------------------------------------------

TAIR    Current:        None
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

RELH    Current:        None 
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

SRAD    Current:        #3836 A130 Mesocomp found sensor 7% low
                        #3837 A151 Mesocomp found sensor 7% low
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

RAIN    Current:        None
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       #4874 A133 Fixed loose wire
                        
TS05    Current:        None
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

TS10    Current:        None
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

TS15    Current:        None
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

TS30    Current:        None  
        Added:          None
        Resolved:       None

========================================================================

LEGEND
TAIR    Air Temperature measured at 1.5 meters
RELH    Relative Humidity measured at 1.5 meters
WDIR    Wind Direction measured at 10 meters
WSPD    Wind Speed measured at 10 meters
PRES    Pressure
SRAD    Incident Solar Radiation
RAIN    Rainfall
TA9M    Air Temperature measured at 9 meters
WS2M    Wind Speed measured at 2 meters
TS10    Soil Temperature measured at 10 cm under native sod
TB10    Soil Temperature measured at 10 cm under bare soil
TS05    Soil Temperature measured at 5 cm under native sod
TB05    Soil Temperature measured at 5 cm under bare soil
TS15    Soil Temperature measured at 15 cm under native sod
TS30    Soil Temperature measured at 30 cm under native sod

=======================================================================

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• vbat
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 10-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare10)
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 30-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare30)
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare5)
• Temperature, soil, 10 cm, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(tsoil10)
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil5)

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wspd_sigma)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling, at 1.75-m height, 5 min-avg(srad)
• Temperature, air, at 1.5-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_1_5m)
• Temperature, air, at 9-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_9m)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_10m)
• Wind speed, at 2-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_2m)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 3-second maximum in 5-min period(wspd_max)
• Rain, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(prec_amt)
• Wind direction, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wdir_sigma)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Wind direction, vector, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wdir_10m)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg, vector magnitude(wvec_10m)

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 3-second maximum in 5-min period(wspd_max)
• Temperature, air, at 1.5-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_1_5m)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_10m)
• Wind direction, vector, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wdir_10m)
• Rain, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(prec_amt)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wspd_sigma)
• Wind speed, at 2-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_2m)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Temperature, air, at 9-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_9m)
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling, at 1.75-m height, 5 min-avg(srad)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg, vector magnitude(wvec_10m)
• Wind direction, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wdir_sigma)

• Temperature, soil, bare, at 10-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare10)
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil5)
• Temperature, soil, 10 cm, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(tsoil10)
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare5)
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 30-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil30)
• vbat

SGP/OKM - CATO station retired

The Catoosa station (CATO) was decommissioned on April 19 due
to poor site exposure and the end of the EPSCOR project.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wspd_sigma)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling, at 1.75-m height, 5 min-avg(srad)
• Temperature, air, at 1.5-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_1_5m)
• Temperature, air, at 9-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_9m)
• time_offset
• base_time
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_10m)
• Wind speed, at 2-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_2m)
• Rain, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(prec_amt)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 3-second maximum in 5-min period(wspd_max)
• Wind direction, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wdir_sigma)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Wind direction, vector, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wdir_10m)
• alt
• lat
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg, vector magnitude(wvec_10m)
• lon

• alt
• lat
• base_time
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 10-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare10)
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil5)
• Temperature, soil, 10 cm, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(tsoil10)
• time_offset
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare5)
• lon
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 30-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil30)
• vbat

SGP/OKM - BEEX station added

A new site located at Bee (BEEX) was added beginning on 
April 1, 2001. It does not appear in data files before that date.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wspd_sigma)
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling, at 1.75-m height, 5 min-avg(srad)
• Temperature, air, at 1.5-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_1_5m)
• Temperature, air, at 9-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_9m)
• time_offset
• base_time
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_10m)
• Wind speed, at 2-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_2m)
• Rain, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(prec_amt)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 3-second maximum in 5-min period(wspd_max)
• Wind direction, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wdir_sigma)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Wind direction, vector, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wdir_10m)
• alt
• lat
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg, vector magnitude(wvec_10m)
• lon

• alt
• lat
• base_time
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 10-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare10)
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil5)
• Temperature, soil, 10 cm, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(tsoil10)
• time_offset
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare5)
• lon
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 30-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil30)
• vbat

SGP/OKM/X1 - Station Change

The Mesonet station near Marshall was moved on September 25, 2003 to improve accessiblity 
for the Mesonet technicians who visit and maintain the site. 
The new site has the code MRSH. It replaces the old Marshall site that
had the code MARS. Since the latitude and longitude of the stations are
included in the cdf file, users of these data should not have a problem.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 30-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare30)
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare5)
• Temperature, soil, 10 cm, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(tsoil10)
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 30-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil30)
• base_time
• lat
• vbat
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 10-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare10)
• Wetness, leaf index, 30-second sample, 15-min avg(leaf_ind)
• lon
• alt
• time_offset
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil5)

• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wspd_sigma)
• Temperature, air, at 1.5-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_1_5m)
• Wind speed, at 2-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_2m)
• Rain, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(prec_amt)
• alt
• lat
• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling, at 1.75-m height, 5 min-avg(srad)
• Temperature, air, at 9-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_9m)
• time_offset
• base_time
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_10m)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 3-second maximum in 5-min period(wspd_max)
• Wind direction, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wdir_sigma)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Wind direction, vector, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wdir_10m)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg, vector magnitude(wvec_10m)
• lon

• Pressure, atmospheric, constant value of model level, RUC model output(pres)
• alt
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 3-second maximum in 5-min period(wspd_max)
• Temperature, air, at 1.5-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_1_5m)
• Wind speed, at 2-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_2m)
• Humidity, relative(rh)
• lat
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling, at 1.75-m height, 5 min-avg(srad)
• lon
• Wind direction, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wdir_sigma)
• time_offset
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wspd_10m)
• Wind direction, vector, at 10-m height, 5-min avg(wdir_10m)
• Rain, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(prec_amt)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min SD(wspd_sigma)
• Temperature, air, at 9-m height, 5-min avg(tdry_9m)
• Wind speed, at 10-m height, 5-min avg, vector magnitude(wvec_10m)
• base_time

• base_time
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 10-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare10)
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil5)
• Temperature, soil, 10 cm, 60-min avg, Kansas mesonet(tsoil10)
• Temperature, soil, bare, at 5-cm depth, 15-min avg(tbare5)
• lon
• vbat
• alt
• lat
• time_offset
• Temperature, soil, natural sod, at 30-cm depth, 15-min avg(tsoil30)

SGP/THWAPS/B4 - Minor biases in humidity and saturation vapor pressure

The THWAPS humidity sensor output was scaled so that the instrument output voltage range 
(0-1VDC) represented 0-100 %RH. Comparisons with the co-located chilled mirror sensor at 
the CF suggested that the THWAPS RH sensor was reading artifically low at high humidities 
because of this 100 %RH maximum. 

The scaling of the system was changed so that 0-1 VDC now represents 0-110 %RH. This 
resulted in a slight loss of precision in the measurements, but since the RH measurement is 
only accurate to 2-3 %RH at best, this isn't a significant problem.

The saturation vapor correction when temps are below 0C contained an error in the 
multiplier.  The incorrect multiplier only equates to an error of 0.01 kPa which is less than the 
stated uncertainty of the measurement (+/- 0.035 kPa).

• Pressure, vapor, 60-m height, 30-min intervals(vap_pres)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

SGP/THWAPS/C1 - Minor bias in saturation vapor pressure

The saturation vapor correction when temps are below 0C contained an error
in the multiplier.  The incorrect multiplier only equates to an error of
0.01 kPa which is less than the stated uncertainty of the measurement (+/-
0.035 kPa).

• Pressure, vapor, 60-m height, 30-min intervals(vap_pres)

SGP/THWAPS/B5 - Minor biases in humidity and saturation vapor pressure

The THWAPS humidity sensor output was scaled so that the instrument output
voltage range (0-1VDC) represented 0-100 %RH. Comparisons with the
co-located chilled mirror sensor at the CF suggested that the THWAPS RH
sensor was reading artifically low at high humidities because of this 100
%RH maximum. 
   
The scaling of the system was changed so that 0-1 VDC now represents 0-110
%RH. This resulted in a slight loss of precision in the measurements, but
since the RH measurement is only accurate to 2-3 %RH at best, this isn't a
significant problem.
   
The saturation vapor correction when temps are below 0C contained an error
in the multiplier.  The incorrect multiplier only equates to an error of
0.01 kPa which is less than the stated uncertainty of the measurement (+/-
0.035 kPa).

• Pressure, vapor, 60-m height, 30-min intervals(vap_pres)
• Humidity, relative(rh)

SGP/THWAPS/B6  - Minor biases in humidity and saturation vapor pressure

The THWAPS humidity sensor output was scaled so that the instrument output
voltage range (0-1VDC) represented 0-100 %RH. Comparisons with the
co-located chilled mirror sensor at the CF suggested that the THWAPS RH
sensor was reading artifically low at high humidities because of this 100
%RH maximum. 
   
The scaling of the system was changed so that 0-1 VDC now represents 0-110
%RH. This resulted in a slight loss of precision in the measurements, but
since the RH measurement is only accurate to 2-3 %RH at best, this isn't a
significant problem.
   
The saturation vapor correction when temps are below 0C contained an error
in the multiplier.  The incorrect multiplier only equates to an error of
0.01 kPa which is less than the stated uncertainty of the measurement (+/-
0.035 kPa).

• Humidity, relative(rh)
• Pressure, vapor, 60-m height, 30-min intervals(vap_pres)

SGP/THWAPS/B1 - Minor bias in saturation vapor pressure

The saturation vapor correction when temps are below 0C contained an error
in the multiplier.  The incorrect multiplier only equates to an error of
0.01 kPa which is less than the stated uncertainty of the measurement (+/-
0.035 kPa).

• Pressure, vapor, 60-m height, 30-min intervals(vap_pres)