Fort Valley Experimental Forest 30-minute meteorological data: 2003-present

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Huebner, D.P.
Publication_Date: 2006
Title:
Fort Valley Experimental Forest 30-minute meteorological data: 2003-present
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Online_Linkage: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/data_archive/dataaccess/FortValleyEF_30min_meteorology.shtml
Description:
Abstract:
This data set includes precipitation and temperature data summarized every 30 minutes from March 23, 2003 to present at the Fort Valley Experimental Forest in Arizona, and a link to the data collected from 1909 to present.
Purpose:
The Coconino Experiment Station (later Fort Valley Experiment Station) was established in 1908 to investigate reproduction in ponderosa pine forests. Regular meteorological observations have been made since that time to support this and other research.
Supplemental_Information:
Fort Valley meteorological data prior to March 2003 were submitted to the Weather Service in daily summary form as a part of the cooperative weather station program. The Weather Service put the data through their quality control and quality assurance checks and then made these data (August of 1909 to March 2003) available through the National Climatic Data Center website. At the time this documentation was written http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?WWDI~StnSrch~COOPID~023160
was a good starting URL for accessing this data. Although the history page on that site makes it appear as if the record begins in 1948 the data available on the site does go back to 1909 as indicated here: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwDI~DatasetSearch~3200~023160~10100045.

Starting in March of 2003 the Rocky Mountain Research Station took over the quality control and quality assurance processes for these data and have hence made these data available in a raw electronic format, summarized for each 30-minute period. Daily summaries continue to be submitted to the Weather Service each month. The result is that daily summaries from 1909 to present are available from the NCDC and 30-minute summaries are available March 2003 to the present in this archive.

In the first half of December 2006 the grounds of the Fort Valley Experiment Station, including the proximity of the meteorological station, trees were significantly thinned in a restoration/fuels treatment project. A post thinning photograph (FortValleyEF_thinning_Dec06.jpg) can be used to get a qualitative sense of change from pre-thinned condition (FortValleyEF_instrumentation_Jul06.jpg). Both photographs are available through the data product download (see the Distribution section below).

Additional information about Fort Valley can be found at http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/fortvalley/.

The original date for this metadata document was October 2006. The metadata was updated on 01/06/2011 when we decided to separate the data into annual files. Minor metadata updates made on 2/28/2013.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2003
Ending_Date: 2012
Currentness_Reference:
ground condition
Status:
Progress: In work
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Monthly
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
The Fort Valley Experimental Forest is comprised of approximately 5270 acres of forest in five disjunct units in the area of Flagstaff, Arizona on the Coconino National Forest. A map is available as browse graphic. The weather station is in unit 2.
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -111.74259
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -111.74259
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.26778
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.26778
Bounding_Altitudes:
Altitude_Minimum: 7340
Altitude_Maximum: 7340
Altitude_Distance_Units: feet
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: precipitation
Theme_Keyword: temperature
Theme_Keyword: meteorological data
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Fort Valley, Arizona
Place_Keyword: Northern Arizona
Place_Keyword: Coconino National Forest
Place_Keyword: Fort Valley Experimental Forest
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
These data were collected by USDA Forest Service researchers and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the citation below when citing the dataset:

Huebner, D.P. 2006. Fort Valley Experimental Forest 30-Minute Meteorological Data: 2003-present. [Online]. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/data_archive.
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: Images\FortValleyEF_instrumentation_Jul06.jpg
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Photograph of the Fort Valley Experimental Forest meteorological instrumentation in July of 2006. A=107 temperature probe, B=unrelated Davis WeatherMonitor II station, C=tipping bucket rain gage, D=lightning rod, E=enclosure for CR10 data logger. Distance between 107 probe and tipping bucket is 45 feet.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: JPEG
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: Images\FortValleyEF_thinning_Dec06.jpg
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Photograph of the Fort Valley Experiment Station meteorological station in December of 2006. It shows thinning that occurred in early December of 2006 for a restoration/fuels treatment project.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: JPEG
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: Images\FortValleyEF_unit_map.jpg
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Map showing the five units of Fort Valley Experimental Forest. The Meteorological station is located in unit 2.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: JPEG
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: Images\FortValleyEF_radiation_shields.jpg
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Photograph showing radiation shields. The shield on the left was used from station automation (1993) to 1100 June 2, 2008. At that time the radiation shield was replaced with unit at right of photograph.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: JPEG
Data_Set_Credit:
Credit is due to G.A.Pearson for foresight in beginning this long term data set and to those managers along the way who permitted their employees to continue building this data set. A large number of Forest Service employees have contributed to equipment matters and data collection over the past century. During the period May 1998 - March 2003 maintenance and data was collection was the responsibility of Northern Arizona University School of Forestry through memorandum of understanding between the Rocky Mountain Research Station and Northern Arizona University School of Forestry.
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Precipitation values +/- .5% at .5 inches per hour, +/- 1% at 1 to 3 inches per hour, 0.01 inch resolution. Temperature accuracy +/- 0.4 degrees C (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) in the range -24 degrees Celsius to 48 degrees Celsius. These values are from manufacturer literature.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Within five days after the end of the month the data are summarized by day, reviewed and error checked by comparing to MMTS equipment. Discrepancies are addressed as needed using a consumer grade weather station on site for additional reference (rarely needed). The summary is sent to the National Weather Service and is incorporated into their long term data set.
Completeness_Report:
These archive records begin March 23, 2003 at 0700 mountain standard time.

IMPORTANT NOTES - PRECIPITATION: Precipitation totals including the following periods will be incorrect (under-represented).

July 1 2003 to 1830 MST August 25, 2003 missing data (Data logger Station sent to Campbell Scientific for calibration. Station Data logger programming simplified.)

The tipping bucket rain gauge was out of service from approximately March 15, 2005 thru April 24, 2005 at 13:00 MST. The bucket had come out of the pivot point. Repaired April 24, 2005 13:00.

The tipping bucket was malfunctioning from an unknown date after September 8, 2005 to October 18, 2005 at 1730 MST. This missed a significant rain event October 17-18. A new reed switch was installed.

IMPORTANT NOTES - TEMPERATURE

April 28, 2008: National Weather Service (NWS) installed Max/Min Temperature Sensor (MMTS) and Standard Rain Gauge (SRG) on site. Temperature comparisons between NWS equipment and our 107 probe showed significant differences for daily high temperature. This difference was generally 1 to 3 degrees F with one day showing a difference of 4 degrees F (higher readings on our 107 probe). These comparisons can be viewed in FortValleyEF_data_compare.html (file is available through the data product download - see the Distribution section below). Since the NWS equipment was checked for calibration (with a series of fixed resistors) at the time of installation it was used as a standard. It was noted that the MMTS solar radiation shield on the NWS equipment was larger in size than the 41301 Gill Multi-Plate Radiation Shield on our 107 probe.

June 2, 2008: To determine if this difference in shelter design was related to the difference in temperature we replaced the smaller shield on our 107 probe with one identical to one on NWS equipment (though it had a little yellowing from UV - it was a used unit). As of June 4, 2008 it seems this has brought high temperature readings within 1 degree F of NWS equipment. This suggests that the solar radiation shield installed on our 107 probe at time of station automation has skewed daily high temperatures in weather record upward. Perhaps the greatest influence was on sunny days with little breeze as these shelters are naturally aspirated. A photograph of the two radiation shields is available as browse graphic above.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
These data are collected using a Campbell Scientific CR-10 data logger, a Campbell Scientific 107 temperature probe in a passively aspirated radiation shield 62 inches above ground , and a MetOne 12 inch heated (series 385) tipping bucket rain gauge, top of funnel is 56 inches above ground. Data are summarized on the CR-10 (link to CR-10 ASCII program: http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/weather/stations/ftv_coop/curprg.dld) and uploaded to a server every 30 minutes using PC208W software.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
See Logistical Consistency Report above.
Process_Date: Unknown
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
FortValleyEF_meteorology_current_year.csv and FortValleyEF_meteorology_YYYY.csv (where YYYY=year) are comma delimited ASCII text files containing the following variables:

COL1 = cfg = configuration code;
COL2 = Year = year of observation in format yyyy;
COL3 = Dayofyr = numeric day of year (ex Jan 1 = 1, Dec 31 = 365 in non-leap years);
COL4 = Time = Mountain Standard Time (MST) of observation. (ex 1:30 am = 130, 10:00 pm = 2200);
COL5 = BattVolt = voltage of gel cell battery in weather station;
COL6 = IntTempC = temperature (degrees Celcius) inside of station enclosure (measured for internal purposes only);
COL7 = TempObsF = temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) at time of observation as indicated in Time field;
COL8 = TempMaxF = maximum temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) for half hour period (temperature measured every 2 seconds);
COL9 = TimeMax = MST of maximum temperature for half hour period;
COL10 = TempMinF = minimum temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) for half hour period (temperature measured every 2 seconds);
COL11 = TimeMin = MST of minimum temperature for half hour period; and
COL12 = Precip01in = total precipitation for half hour period in hundredths of inches (ex 12 = .12 inches).


FortValleyEF_data_compare.html is an HTML file containing a table showing the effect of the radiation shield replacement. The table includes the followng variables:

COL1 = date = date of measurement (mm/dd/yyyy where mm=month, dd=day, and yyyy=year);
COL2 = NWS precip (in.) = National Weather Service (NWS) daily precipitation (inches);
COL3 = NWS high F = NWS daily maximum temperature (Fahrenheit);
COL4 = NWS low F = NWS daily minimum temperature (Fahrenheit);
COL5 = RMRS precip (in.) = Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) daily precipitation (inches);
COL6 = RMRS high F = RMRS daily maximum temperature (Fahrenheit); and
COL7 = RMRS low F = RMRS daily maximum temperature (Fahrenheit).
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
none
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Contact_Position: Station Archivist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80526
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970-498-1206
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970-498-1100
Distribution_Liability:
This metadata document has been reviewed for accuracy and completeness. The data are considered to satisfy the Rocky Mountain Research Station's quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. However, the Forest Service cannot assure the reliability or suitability of these data for a particular purpose. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the Forest Service for a user's application of these data or related materials.

The metadata, data, or related materials may be updated without notification. If a user believes errors are present in the metadata, data or related materials, please use the information in (1) Identification Information: Point of Contact, (2) Metadata Reference: Metadata Contact, or (3) Distribution Information: Distributor to notify the Forest Service of the issues. Additional information is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/qoi.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: ASCII
Format_Version_Number: See Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Comma-delimited ASCII text file
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped with Winzip 14.0.
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/data_archive/dataaccess/FortValleyEF_30min_meteorology.shtml
Fees: none
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20130228
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Statistics Unit
Contact_Position: Station Archivist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80526
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970-498-1206
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970-498-1100
Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for National Biological Information Infrastructure Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999
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