(posted by Karen Kosiba)
Meet the mobile mesonets!
(they were all so shy--I could only get 3 of them to pose for pictures)
(they were all so shy--I could only get 3 of them to pose for pictures)
Led by Yvette Richardson and Paul Markowski (of Penn State), the mobile mesonets are weather stations on wheels (WOWs? Maybe...?). The WOWs (just trying it out...) provide critical surface thermodynamic (e.g., temperature, pressure, relative humidity) and wind information in/near the rear flank of supercell thunderstorms.
During operations, these distinct-looking (they have weather instruments are mounted on their roofs--that's distinct, no?) mini-vans drive in a very coordinated fashion (thanks to Yvette and Paul!) around/through the hook echo of a supercell.
While radars are able to provide wind and precipitation information above the surface, they cannot directly provide thermodynamic or wind information at the surface. The mobile mesonets provide this missing piece of the puzzle. For example, scientists are interested in how the rear flank downdraft (RFD) aids in tornadogenesis and maintenance. This requires knowing the thermodynamic properties of the RFD and how these properties change in time. Who ya gonna call...? MESONETS. (umm...this Ghostbuster reference did not work as well as I had hoped--or at all!)
BTW, no missions today and none planned for tomorrow.
Wheels on Weather Stations would work for WOWS.
ReplyDeleteHow about Vans of Weather Instruments VOWI?
Would Vans of Weather Stations VOWS ... as in remember to take your VOWS on Vortex2 ... be better?
OH ... lest we forget ... Meteorological Instruments Super Squeeze ... your MISS car is out of position.
One last ... WIFR ... Wind Instrument Fine Ride!
Off to get some coffee. Maybe the caffeine will help.
Have a blessed day!
73 to the hams on board.
Lloyd
Keep it simple - MOMs!
ReplyDelete