Coordinating scientific and operational needs in region weather station network design

Alaskas vast area, severe weather and low population make reliable weather monitoring challenging. Consequently, the states weather station network is sparse compared to other states. The relative lack of station coverage can introduce significant uncertainty into scientific analyses. The dearth of detailed local information also increases risk for those who depend on near real-time weather data for operational decisions, such as travel planning. Given the significant resources needed to install and maintain reliable weather station networks, the question of how to maximize the benefits of station network protection and enhancement for multiple needs becomes key. In collaboration with station network managers across Alaska, we developed a strategy to jointly evaluate scientific and operational weather and climate data needs. Analysis comparing discrepancies between existing gridded climate products and evaluating uncertainty within an ensemble of historical data pinpoints and quantifies areas of specific uncertainty. Overlaying an analysis of current station coverage identifies both key gaps and stations that are likely to by lynchpins in the current network. Finally, surveys of user preference highlight stations with significant operational use and areas where users perceive uncertainty. By combining these three analyses, we can identify key weather stations that need to be preserved, as well as prioritizing areas for network expansion to meet multiple needs.