Validation of Mobile Mesonet Pressure Observations

The aim of the project was to explain problems with the methods used to make station pressure measured by Mobile Mesonet useful and to evaluate the performance of the vehicle platform while the vehicle is in motion. Tests were performed at Five Miles Flat and Highway 9 to evaluate GPS elevation and pressure ports. All three pressure ports were tested in this study. Also, a sample data was collected by a thunderstorm passing over University of Oklahoma to compare the data from the storm to those produced during tests. Overall, both silver and white port had unusual and unexpected errors in data when the vehicle was in motion. Yet, there is no meaningful data on black port yet due to human error. In case of GPS sensor, errant and previously unreported behavior in altitude data warranted a further investigation in quality of GPS altitude data. Therefore, there is more testing on pressure ports and GPS sensor that is necessary to resolve the issues with the instruments in question.