Updates on the Western Reserve Weather Station:
During the last days of the school year 2022-2023, the 7th graders in first period science class were given the challenge of spreading 5 ton of stone. The pile was on the outside of the fence and by the time the period ended, all 5 tons were spread nicely throughout the enclosure of the weather station. The stone the students spread helped cover bare soil/clay from the initial construction of the station and improved the appearance of the station.
The students were tremendously enthusiastic about the challenge and those that did not partake in the physical labor, gave their support by continually encouraging and cheering on those who were moving the stone.
The stone was provided by Friends of Old Woman Creek.
Rain Gauge:
In June the staff of Old Woman Creek (OWC) National Estuarine Research Reserve completed the installation of a rain gauge. The original gauge had been malfunctioning since the original install. The rain gauge completes the suite of instruments of this 24/7 station providing live data feed and a historical look at meteorological parameters occurring in this region of Ohio. This information is stored and maintained for research purposes associated with OWC and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.
Student Involvement:
Last year's 7th graders (class of 2028) had the unique experience of witnessing the construction and installation of all components that make up the weather station. The 7th graders were given an insider glimpse to what makes up a weather station. These students also were able to compare their personal observations on "Measurement Wednesdays" to the weather station observations. Accessing the weather station data was completed by finding and interpreting the measurements on the online portal. More details about that portal are mentioned below. The observations and measurements augment the 7th grade science curriculum bringing to life some of the content standards of 7th grade science.
This year's 7th graders will also be completing weekly observations and measurements while accessing the information being collected and recorded by our WR weather station.
Individual Student Involvement:
Last year Kelsey Lasch and Sean Murdock were involved with communicating and performing monthly instrument checks with personnel from OWC. These two students also assisted in downloading the data for later studies of weather conditions here in this area and the possible effects of the water of Lake Erie.
This year Kelsey and Sydney Walter will continue this monthly procedure.
Kelsey also volunteered to report and record daily precipitation with the use of a "manual rain gauge". This information from the daily precipitation amounts is entered manually into a database through the "Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network'' (CoCoRaHS). 7th graders during the school year will be involved in reading and recording these daily measurements throughout the school year.
Online Access:
The following websites include the WR weather station.
https://cdmo.baruch.sc.edu/PWA/index.html - this is the direct link of the WR station via the National Estuarine Research Reserve System to view live data with a 48 hour history in graphical format.
Once you are on this link, go to the search bar and type in WR which will bring up the WR station. Or simply scroll down through the available stations in the network until you find OWCWRMET.
https://seagull.glos.org/map?coords=-82.6295633%2C41.3138730%2C10 - once on this link you will see that the WR station is also networked with this array of stations mainly recording lake water conditions. There are stations that are landlocked in this network, all being within the Lake Erie watershed. This demonstrates the value of weather conditions inland from the lake shores and is a valuable source of monitoring the overall water conditions of Lake Erie.
https://www.cocorahs.org/ - Interactive map recording daily precipitation across most parts of North America.
https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=owmo1 - the WR station is also networked here through the National Weather Service, National Data Buoy Center and NOAA. The WR station is one of very few stations networked here that is not actually located in Lake Erie or near shore.
Why a Weather Station at WR?
The school property sits on a boundary of "how water travels" to Lake Erie. The water from the school property travels north towards Beulah Beach and enters the lake adjacent to Beulah. From the East and West directions of school property the water travels into the Huron (west) and Vermilion (east) Rivers.
Precipitation and meteorological conditions in this area have a direct impact on the water of Lake Erie. Conditions here on our property may be and happens often; much different from the conditions of the shores of the lake.
Future:
Continual engagement of individual students partnering and working collaboratively with OWC personnel in downloading data and ensuring the integrity of the data being measured and recorded.
Involvement of the 7th graders with class observations of daily/weekly weather conditions while comparing student's measurements to that of the station. Students also observe the information provided by the station in graphical format. Students develop the ability to read accurately what the graphs are depicting and to analyze individual weather measurements to both explain why specific "weather" occurred and even begin to predict future weather conditions.
Possibilities are being explored to bring the station onto more user-friendly weather sites such as WeatherUnderground and WeatherBug.
Likewise a camera has been discussed to augment the station and provide a live look at weather conditions on or near school property.
If you have any questions or concerns about the station, email Lee Rowlinson at LROWLINSON@western-reserve.org