Weather station charts are invaluable tools for anyone seeking to understand atmospheric conditions. The default chart typically presents essential data including Temperature, Dew Point Temperature, and Relative Humidity. However, it’s important to note that if a weather station hasn’t recorded these elements within the specified timeframe, a chart won’t be generated. This article will guide you through understanding these charts and exploring more advanced options, allowing you to delve deeper into weather data, even for unique locations like Peter Sinks, Utah, known for its extreme temperature variations.
Exploring Beyond the Default Chart: Advanced Options
For those looking for more specific weather insights, the platform offers “Advanced Options”. By clicking this button, users can access a “Permanent Chart” drop-down menu. This feature allows you to select and display charts focusing on different weather elements beyond the default trio. This is particularly useful when investigating specific weather phenomena or when data for default elements is unavailable for a particular station or period, which might be the case in remote or specialized locations.
Understanding Data Limitations and High-Resolution Needs
It’s crucial to be aware of the chart’s data point limitation. Each element displayed on a chart is restricted to 1000 data points. For extended periods or stations reporting data frequently (multiple times per hour), this limit can be reached. When this happens, the chart automatically trims the data, displaying every second, third, or subsequent data point to stay within the limit.
For situations requiring highly detailed, high-resolution charts, especially when analyzing data-rich environments or extended durations, the “Historical Data” option is recommended. This option provides access to more granular data, avoiding the data trimming that can occur in the standard chart view and ensuring you capture every detail, which can be critical when studying specific weather events or microclimates, perhaps even in areas like Peter Sinks Utah, where temperature fluctuations can be significant and rapid.
Consider these examples to illustrate data trimming:
- Example 1: A National Weather Service (NWS) Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) reports weather data 12-13 times per hour. Data trimming will begin after approximately 76 hours of data are charted.
- Example 2: A station that reports data 4 times per hour will start trimming data after 250 hours.
Interactive Chart Exploration: Unveiling More Weather Elements
The charting system is designed to be interactive. To explore charts for additional weather elements, simply hover your mouse cursor over the element headings above the chart display. If a “magnifying glass” cursor appears, it indicates that clicking on that heading will load the corresponding data into the chart. This intuitive design allows for quick and easy exploration of a wide range of weather variables.
Comprehensive Range of Weather Elements Available for Charting
The platform provides a comprehensive list of weather elements that can be charted. It is important to note that data availability varies from station to station. Depending on the station’s capabilities and sensors, you may have access to a diverse set of weather parameters.
| Weather Elements for Charting – Part 1 | Weather Elements for Charting – Part 2 |
|---|---|
| – Temperature – Dew Point Temperature – Relative Humidity – Wind Chill – Wind Direction – Wind Speed and Gusts – Fuel Temperature – Fuel Moisture – Sea Level Pressure – Altimeter Setting – Station Pressure – Solar Radiation – Soil Temperature | – Road Temperature – Road Sub-Surface Temperature – Accumulated Precipitation – One Minute Precipitation – Five Minute Precipitation – Ten Minute Precipitation – Fifteen Minute Precipitation – Thirty Minute Precipitation – One Hour Precipitation – Snow Depth – Snow Interval – Snow-Water Equivalent – Water Temperature |
By understanding the capabilities and limitations of weather station charts, and by utilizing the interactive features and advanced options, users can effectively monitor and analyze weather data for various locations, gaining valuable insights into atmospheric conditions, whether it’s for general interest, research, or specific applications, even in geographically unique and climatically interesting places like Peter Sinks, Utah.
