Dataset: Cary Institute Daily Weather Data

Methods

The methods followed in the creation of the dataset, including description of field, laboratory and processing steps, and quality control procedures

Current Methods

• Cary Daily Meteorological Data
  Started: 1988-01-01
  

  This dataset is part of the Cary Institute Environmental Monitoring Program, a long-term research program designed to monitor climate change, air, precipitation and streamwater chemistry, solar radiation, stream flow and temperature, soil moisture and soil temperature.

• Datalogger
  Started: 1988-01-01
  

  Meteorological and solar radiation data are collected using a Campbell Scientific, Inc. datalogger (21X 1M 1987-14 September 1993, 21XL 14 September 1993- 12 October 1999, 23X 12 Oct. 1999-December 2011, CR3000 Dec. 2011-present). All sensors are sampled every 2 seconds and all data are summarized every 3 minutes, hourly and at the end of every 24-hour period.

Dataset Fields

Detailed documentation of the fields comprising the dataset, including the type of measurement, units where applicable, and any controlled vocabularies or code lists present in the data

Sampling Equipment

Equipment and software used to collect data, including how that equipment was used.

Current Equipment

• PAR
  Started: 1988-01-01
  

  Li-Cor, Inc. Model LI-190SB, sensitivity 8 mA/1000 mmols-1-m2, recommended significant figs. 3. Location of sensors: 2 m above a mowed grass surface (1988-July 2002), 2.5 m above mowed grass surface (July 2002-present).

• Shortwave Radiation
  Started: 1988-01-01
  

  Eppley Laboratory, Inc. Model 8-48, sensitivity 11 m v/Wm-2, recommended significant figs. 3. Location of sensors: 2 m above a mowed grass surface (1988-July 2002), 2.5 m above mowed grass surface (July 2002-present).

• Net Radiation
  Started: 1995-09-01
  

  REBS Model Q*7.1, ventilator used Sept 1995-July 2000, sensitivity 0.01 Wm-2-mV, recommended significant figs. 2. Location of sensors: 2 m above a mowed grass surface (1988-July 2002), 2.5 m above mowed grass surface (July 2002-present).

• Relative Humidity
  Started: 1997-04-01
  

  Campbell Scientific, Inc. HMP45C, which uses a Vaisala, Inc., capacitive polymer H chip, sensitivity + 3%, recommended significant figs. 2 Temperature and relative humidity sensors are housed in a motor-aspirated shield (Climatronics Corp. series TS-10) 1.6 m above a mowed grass surface.

• Temperature
  Started: 1998-11-01
  

  Campbell Scientific, Inc. HMP45C temperature probe, sensitivity + 0.4 deg C, recommended significant figs. 3. Temperature and relative humidity sensors are housed in a motor-aspirated shield (Climatronics Corp. series TS-10) 1.6 m above a mowed grass surface.

• Barometric Pressure
  Started: 1999-10-01
  

  Campbell Scientific, Inc. Model CS105, sensitivity + 4 mb, recommended significant figs. 4. The barometric pressure sensor is located adjacent to the datalogger in a temperature-controlled room.

• Wind Direction
  Started: 2003-10-01
  

  Climatronics Corp. sonimometer. Location of sensors: approximately 10 m above a mowed grass surface.

• Wind Speed
  Started: 2003-10-01
  

  Climatronics Corp. sonimometer. Location of sensors: approximately 10 m above a mowed grass surface.

• Precipitation
  Started: 2007-07-01
  

  Geonor Precipitation Gauge Model T-200B from co-located USCRN station.

Past Sampling Equipment (No longer in use)

• Net Radiation
  Started: 1988-01-01
  Ended: 1995-04-01

  Qualimetrics Fritschen Type Model 3030 3032, sensitivity + 4 mV, recommended significant figs. 2.

• Precipitation
  Started: 1988-01-01
  Ended: 2007-07-01

  Belfort Instrument Co. Universal Recording Rain Gauge, Series 5-780, sensitivity +0.05 inch (1.3 mm), recommended significant figs. 2. Precipitation amount from each event was checked using a standard plastic rain gauge and/or a snow depth / rain gauge. Location of instruments: collector openings are approximately 3 m above a mowed grass surface.

• Relative Humidity
  Started: 1988-01-01
  Ended: 1997-04-01

  Phys Chem Corp. PCRC-11 or PCRC-55, sensitivity + 3%, recommended significant figs. 2.

• Temperature
  Started: 1988-01-01
  Ended: 1998-10-31

  Campbell Scientific Model 107 or 207, sensitivity + 0.4 deg C, recommended significant figs. 3.

• Wind Direction
  Started: 1988-01-01
  Ended: 2002-07-01

  Campbell Scientific, Inc. Model 024A, sensitivity +5 degrees, recommended significant figs. 2.

• Wind Speed
  Started: 1988-01-01
  Ended: 2002-07-01

  Campbell Scientific, Inc. Model 014A, sensitivity +1.5%, recommended significant figs. 3.

• Net Radiation
  Started: 1994-03-01
  Ended: 1995-09-01

  REBS Model Q*6.7

• Net Radiation
  Started: 1995-04-01
  Ended: 1994-03-01

  Radiation and Energy Balance Systems (REBS) Model Q6

• Wind Direction
  Started: 2002-07-01
  Ended: 2003-06-01

  Met One Instruments, Inc. Model 50.5 Solid State Wind Sensor, sensitivity +3 degrees, recommended significant figs. 3.

• Wind Speed
  Started: 2002-07-01
  Ended: 2003-06-01

  Met One Instruments, Inc. Model 50.5 Solid State Wind Sensor, sensitivity +2%, recommended significant figs. 3.

Site Characteristics

The spatial extent of the dataset site coverage, and descriptions of the spatial extent and context for the data collection

• Site Description

  The weather station at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is in a flat open field at an elevation of 128 meters. GPS coordinates for the site are: 41.785823 -73.741447.

  Minimum Altitude: 128 meters

  Maximum Altitude: 128 meters