Poster Session:
"Development and Testing of Standard Operating Procedures for Meteorological Monitoring using Multi-Parameter Weather Instruments"

The KSWSC has begun utilizing multi-parameter weather instruments (a Vaisala WXT536 and a Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter) for multiple projects, including cyanoHAB and soil moisture research. A two-month data comparison collection effort was conducted at the KSWSC office to develop and refine a SOP for operating the WXT536. Two WXT536 instruments were deployed side-by-side to collect continuous weather data for air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall accumulation. A Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter was used as a secondary comparison instrument for verification for all parameters except rainfall. For rainfall accumulation comparisons, a tipping bucket and a 4-inch manual rain gauge were installed nearby. A NIST traceable thermometer and barometer were used as additional checks for air temperature and barometric pressure. Through this process we have been able to refine standard operating procedures for collecting and post-processing the continuous meteorological data, as well as methods for collecting field verification measurements with the Kestrel 5500. The data will be summarized to highlight our general findings related to these instruments and their operation.