Ticker for December 19, 2003

                
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December 19, 2003  December 19, 2003  December 19, 2003  December 19, 2003



Mesonet Rings in New Year With New, Improved Temperatures!

Well, we can't do much to improve the *actual* temperatures, but the
Oklahoma Mesonet is improving temperature observations for 2004.
Beginning this week, each Mesonet station will receive new programming
that switches the official TAIR (air temperature) measurement from its
Vaisala HMP35 instrument to its Thermometrics Fasttherm instrument.

The Fasttherm will provide even more accurate temperature observations
across the Mesonet.  It responds more quickly than the HMP35 to rapid
temperature changes (such as those associated with cold fronts or
thunderstorm outflows).  It also outperforms on sunny, calm days.
Don't get the wrong idea, though.  The Vaisala probe is definitely
a high-caliber instrument, and it will continute to take the official
Mesonet humidity observations.

This transition should be absolutely transparent to all classes of
Mesonet users, for two reasons:

1. The Fasttherms have been operating for several years as an
additional temperature sensor at all Mesonet stations.

2. The programming change is taking place at the datalogger level,
and no changes are needed upstream from the stations themselves.

So, to sum it all up, the Mesonet's New Year's Resolution is Improved
Resolution!