Answer: Our new NC CRONOS Database [11] enables the public to retrieve current and historical weather conditions from in and around North Carolina.
Does the SCO charge for its data services?
Answer: Yes and No. The State Climate Office of North Carolina charges a nominal fee for all qualifying requests for services. There are still many services for which we do not charge.
What is a public service center?
Answer: It is an entity that provides service to the community. The State Climate Office, as a Public Service Center, works to provide better information on weather, climate, environment and natural resources to citizens and industries of NC.
How is the data from across the state collected?
Answer: There are several ways. First, we collect information from dozens of automated towers that make up the NC Environment and Climate Observing Network (NC ECONet). This data is acquired directly by the SCO and placed on our web site hourly. The NC Agricultural Weather Network (AGNet)is the backbone of the ECONet. Second, hourly data from major airports are broadcast to National Weather Service, and stored in the SCO's database.These two methods only provide information for dozens of locations in NC, but most hourly observations are only available since the late 1990s. Most of the climate data we have is collected through the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Network, which measures daily precipitation, minimum temperature, and maximum temperature manually. There are over 120 locations in NC that record these 3 variables, many of which have record from before 1950. The data is then sent to the National Climatic Data Center, which then distributes it to the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC). We obtain these data off the SERCC database.
Is global warming occuring in North Carolina?
Answer: Climate varies over time, and while the climate changes, we do not yet completely understand details on how observed climate fluctuations are attributed to natural and human causes. While there is tremendous research and evidence to link human activities to global climate trends, there is much higher uncertainty on the impacts of human activities on local climate changes. Research in the SCO has tried to address local climate in North Carolina. This research suggests that since 1950, precipitation has increased across the state, maximum temperature trends do not appear to be changing significantly, but minimum temperatures are increasing, especially in urban areas. For more information, contact state climatologist ryan_boyles@ncsu.edu [12].
Does the SCO provide weather forecasts?
Answer: No. Official short-term weather forecasts (2 –3 days) are provided by the National Weather Service. The SCO is working to develop seasonal and long-term outlooks for regional and agricultural planning.
Does the SCO have lightning strike data?
Answer: No. We have hourly observations that might show the presence of thunderstorms, but we do not have actual lightning strike data. The National Lightning Detection Network is operated by Vaisala-GAI in Tuscon, Arizona (800-221-9779).
Does the SCO provide climate forecasts?
Answer: Yes. We try to provide seasonal outlooks. By looking at past trends in local climate patterns, we try to give the public and idea of what to expect in the next few seasons. Recently, such outlooks have been closely tied to the El Nino and La Nina events in the Pacific Ocean.
What are the future plans for climate and weather observations?
Answer: The SCO is actively pursuing funding to expand the NC ECONet so that there is at least one station in each county. With the complex weather and climate patterns in North Carolina, a monitoring station in each county will improve weather forecasts and climate monitoring. For more information, see the NC ECONet page here [13].
Are SCO staff available to give presentations for educational and community groups?
Answer: Yes, we very much enjoy talking to the general public and giving presentations on weather and climate in North Carolina. If your group would like to have us present, please contact our main number at 919-515-3056.
Links:
[1] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#Data
[2] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#Charge
[3] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#PSC
[4] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#Collected
[5] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#Warming
[6] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#WX-Forecasts
[7] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#Lightning
[8] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#Clim-Forecasts
[9] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#Future
[10] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/office/faqs.html#Outreach
[11] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/cronos
[12] mailto:ryan_boyles@ncsu.edu
[13] http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/econet