| Media
Contacts:
Dr. Sethu Raman,
919/515-1440
Ryan P. Boyles,
919/513-2816
Paul K. Mueller,
News Services, 919/515-3470
Sept.
4, 2003
New
Web Site Gives Citizens Real-Time, Statewide Weather
Info
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
Everybody
talks about the weather, and very soon that talk
can be based on a wealth of accurate, timely information
– even if you miss the television news.
A new Web site to be unveiled
at North Carolina State University will give anybody
with a computer instant access to weather information
collected from nearly 200 stations around the
state and bordering regions – in real time.
The university’s State Climate Office (SCO),
which developed and operates the free public service,
will inaugurate the online site at 10 a.m. on
Friday, Sept. 12, in Research III building on
Centennial Campus.
|
Colorful,
informative maps on the CRONOS Web site provide
a detailed statewide weather picture.
|
The
point-and-click resource, the N.C. Climate Retrieval
and Observations Network of the Southeast (NC CRONOS)
will provide comprehensive, real-time access to weather
observations from 90 automated stations across the state,
including offshore buoys, and 110 additional stations
in surrounding states. The Web site – www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/cronos
–incorporates climate information gathered by
the SCO, the National Weather Service, the N.C. Department
of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
and the National Data Buoy Center.
According
to Dr. Sethu Raman, state climatologist and director
of the SCO, the comprehensive database is an extension
of the existing N.C. Environment and Climate Observing
Network (NC ECONet), itself incorporating the Agricultural
Weather Network maintained by his office. “This
Web site and its supporting database give citizens and
businesses in North Carolina a source for real-time
local weather and climate information,” he said,
“and provides a resource not previously available.”
|
Automated
weather stations like this one help keep CRONOS
information current and accurate.
|
The
SCO is supported by the College
of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and
the College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State.
Accurate and reliable
weather information is essential for farmers,
electric utilities, transportation firms, airlines,
the tourist industry, military and crisis planners,
public health officials – the entire spectrum
of citizens, governments and businesses, says
Raman. “Weather observations must be of
the highest quality, or they are not useful
for decision-making purposes,” he said.
“There are many weather sensors out there,
but most are not sited and maintained to international
standards. The SCO is interested in archiving
and disseminating only the highest quality weather
observations.”
Colorful
maps and numerous features were designed to
make navigating the Web site easy.
|
Ryan
P. Boyles, associate state climatologist, credits his
colleagues Robb Ellis and Mark Brooks, among others,
for building the database and designing the user-friendly
interface. “Our team of staff and students spent
a lot of time considering the needs of likely users,
from parents planning a weekend trip to construction
firms scheduling work,” said Boyles. “Our
maps and tables let you glance at current conditions
across the state or, for those who need greater detail,
let you drill down to multiple layers of information.”
Climate observations include standard
measurements such as air temperature, humidity, wind
speed and direction and air pressure. Many stations
record precipitation as well, and all those maintained
by the SCO also report solar radiation, soil temperature
and soil moisture.
The
State
Climate Office of North Carolina is a public service
center at NC State, serving as the statewide source
of weather and climate information and expertise.
-mueller-
|
Raleigh,
NC 27695
