Public Access Weather Stations
Historically the public has had little access to weather information generated at the INL.
Real-time access to such measurements has been primarily reserved for routine operations and emergency response needs.
However, it has been recognized that scientific information collected for INL operations could be of great value to
educational programs and the general public. In addition, the availability of such information has forged a
better relationship between the public and the INL.
As a result, the Idaho Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP) was created in 1997 as an educational outreach effort to the communities surrounding the INL. FRD, the State of Idaho INL Oversight Program, the INL, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes jointly support the IEMP. Four weather stations were constructed at publicly accessible locations in southeastern Idaho.
These stations are located in Idaho Falls on the Snake River Greenbelt south of the John's Hole Bridge; in Fort Hall off Interstate-15 by exit 80 in the museum parking lot; at the Big Lost River Rest Area on U. S. Highway 20/26 between Arco and Idaho Falls; and northeast of the INL in Terreton across from the West Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
Each station is comprised of a 15-m open-lattice aluminum tower and a kiosk that contains real-time meteorological displays and posters. Various meteorological and environmental sensors are mounted on each tower. A cup anemometer and vane are mounted at the top of the tower to measure wind speed and direction, respectively. Ambient air temperature is measured with a thermistor that is placed inside fan-aspirated radiation shields. These shields are necessary to minimize the effects of solar heating. Temperature is measured at 2 and 15 m. The difference in temperature at these two levels provides useful information on determining the stability of the atmosphere. A humidity probe placed inside the 2-m radiation shield next to the thermistor acquires data on atmospheric moisture. A pyranometer is used to measure the incoming solar radiation. Precipitation is measured with a standard 8-inch tipping bucket rain gauge. Heaters placed inside the gauge are used in the winter to melt snow. An aneroid transducer placed at the base of the tower is used to measure barometric pressure.
An air sampler that operates continuously collects particulate matter (PM). Once a week, a filter that is used to collect and retain PM is removed from the sampler and exchanged with a new filter. The used filter is sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed for the gross or total amount of radioactive PM that is acquired by the air sampler. A second auxiliary high-volume air sampler is located at each monitoring site. The high volume air sampler can be activated remotely in the unlikely event that an accidental release occurs at an INL facility. Unlike the primary air sampler, this instrument has the ability to detect low-level radioactivity in a short period of time by drawing in large quantities of air at a high inflow rate. These samplers are used to evaluate the air quality from natural (background) sources and any man-made sources.
Gamma radiation is measured using a pressurized ionization chamber (PIC). The PIC is capable of measuring background levels of radiation in the environment as well as additional contributions from man-made activities. The units for the measurement of gamma radiation are micro-Roentgens per hour or the number of ionizations that occur during one hour.
A data logger located at the tower base acquires data from all of these instruments. These data are transmitted through a radio telemetry link to the FRD office every 5 min. Various quality control algorithms are employed on these data to ensure sensor reliability. After these data are screened, they are permanently archived. These data are then available for redistribution and analysis.
The public can view real-time data from these instruments in the open-air kiosks that are located at each station. The wind chill is derived from empirical equations from the 15-m wind speed and air temperature. The dew point temperature is calculated using the relative humidity, air temperature and barometric pressure. The minimum and maximum temperatures are values since midnight local time. Gamma radiation readings typically range about 11 to 14 m-Roentgens per hour. This range is indicative of normal background radiation.
Informational displays in the kiosks explain the function of the various instruments and highlight specific topics about a particular measurement that is made at each station. In addition, weekly and monthly climatologies are also posted. The roles of the participating agencies that monitor the environment on and around the INL are also explained. The data and information at these stations make environmental science more relevant to the viewer.
Internet Web Site
About a year after the initial construction of the four IEMP stations, data was made available in near real-time via the Internet. This web site allows access to real-time weather information to students, teachers, and the general public. The user can access the latest 5-min values of the parameters from any of the four IEMP stations. Descriptions of each sensor and its function can be found in the web site.
The highest access of the web site occurs during the weekdays when people are commuting to and from work. In addition, use of the web site increases during episodes of severe weather conditions. For southeastern Idaho, this usually means extreme cold, snowstorms, and/or high winds.
Future plans include the addition of climatological products for each IEMP station and historical environmental data. The entire database will also be available to any individual wishing to investigate specific historical dates. Interactive programs will be added as educational tools.
Supported by a DOE grant, a workbook on the basic principles of meteorological and environmental monitoring has been developed for distribution to local schools in southeastern Idaho. The in-class reading materials, class activities, and cross-curricular projects will give students the fundamentals to begin exploring the many ways meteorological events influence human life. Hands on experience with instruments, data collection, measurements, and analytical activities will allow students to leap into practical, real-world applications of environmental data.
The workbook contains chapters on each meteorological variable, how it is measured, and what its significance is to our everyday lives. These chapters include detailed discussions on the significance of air temperature, humidity, wind, barometric pressure, cloud types, and radiation. Each chapter includes exercise worksheets and simple experiments. Students are encouraged to visit an IEMP station with their workbooks as part of an organized field trip or on their own time.
In conjunction with the workbook, the INL Public Education Program offers a complimentary curriculum entitled The Rad Experience: A Guide to Understanding Radiation and Radiological Issues. Compiled by educators participating in the Teaming Teachers with Industry and Teacher Research Associate programs at the INL, The Rad Experience is a two-week, self-contained unit which encourages students to develop the scientific understanding of radiological concepts that leads to informed opinions concerning environmental issues.
Crescenti, G. H., K. L. Clawson, B. R. Reese, D. W. Walker, and W. J.
Behymer, 2000: The Idaho Environmental Monitoring Program. Preprint, Ninth
Symposium on Education, Long Beach, CA, Jan. 9-14, Amer. Meteor. Soc.,
28-30. [View / download PDF]
Kirk L. Clawson, Ph.D
1750 Foote Dr.
Idaho Falls, ID 83402