Using K-16 weather station data in climate research and as an outreach opportunity

The use of weather stations with high quality instrumentation as a teaching tool in K-16 environments has increased substantially in the past decade. Currently, a large number of K-12 schools and universities in the U.S. have high quality observating stations that regularly record and archive meteorological data. Many of these sites are part of a larger network of observing stations that can demonstrate variations in metorological conditions at the mesoscale. Although the data quality for certain stations is not sufficient for research purposes, preliminary comparisons to nearby National Weather Service cooperative observing sites indicates that it is sufficient for many others, particularly when limiting the comparison to certain parameters such as rainfall amount.

Presently, there is little use of these data for research purposes. Besides for the potential value of increased station density, a more proactive approach towards integrating these data into formal research projects that would otherwise rely exclusively upon National Weather Service data, would provide an outreach opportunity for researchers to interact with K-16 educators and their students. The opportunity for students to observe how these data may be utilized in legitimate resarch projects would potentially increase both their appreciation for maintaining good data quality and their general interest in climate research.