Ticker for July 19, 2001

                
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July 19, 2001      July 19, 2001      July 19, 2001      July 19, 2001


OCS Launches Summer Conditions Monitor

The hot, dry conditions of the last six weeks have stressed Oklahoma's
crops, livestock and people.  To help stay ahead of emerging conditions
from this year's dry spell, the Oklahoma Climatological Survey has
established the "2001 Dry Spell Update" as an informational tool for
Oklahoma's citizens and public decision-makers.


Four major components of the Update are possible through the use
of Oklahoma Mesonet data.

Rainfall Data from the Oklahoma Mesonet

The tables depict rainfall (actual and vs. normal) for each of
the state's nine climate divisions.  This information is
supplemented with images that show detail in the rainfall and
rainfall deficit fields.  The tables and images are updated daily
to provide at-a-glance views of emerging conditions in any region
of the state.

Three tools from the Mesonet's AgWeather suite are included:

Oklahoma Fire Danger Model Burning Index
This map provides information about the potential intensity
of damaging wildfire.  It is part of a suite of fire-weather
products available via the Oklahoma Fire Danger Model home
page.  It is updated eleven times per day.

Keetch-Byram Drought Index
This index represents the moisture content of the top eight inches
of soil.  It is used as an indicator for drought-like conditions,
much like the Palmer Drought Index.  However, the KBDI is a
"fast-response" index, which makes it more appropriate to monitor
the short term (weeks and months, not months and years) development
of conditions.  It is also used by wildfire professionals to
estimate the amount of organic material in the soil itself that
can contribute to wildfire.  It is updated once daily.

Current Dispersion Conditions
This map is part of the Oklahoma Dispersion Model's suite of
products.  It is a measure of how well particulates (such as smoke
from wildfire) would be dispersed, based on current weather
conditions.  Poor dispersion conditions imply that smoke or other
plumes would remain more "intact", which intensifies effects for
those downstream.  It is updated every 15 minutes.


The rest of the page includes links to related agencies and products
that can help Oklahoma's citizens stay abreast of emerging summer
conditions.

The Dry Spell 2001 Update is now available at:
http://climate.mesonet.org/dry2001/