The Oklahoma Mesonet’s quality-assurance (QA) consists of four principal components:
1) laboratory calibration,
2) on-site intercomparison,
3) automated QA, and
4) manual QA.
In the instrument laboratory, all sensors are calibrated to validate or improve upon factory calibrations.
On an annual basis, the accuracy of several types of sensors in the field is verified through comparison to calibrated reference sensors housed in a portable system.
To make a first pass through the 640,000+ observations that are received at the Mesonet each day, automated QA software includes numerous algorithms to evaluate the data received from remote stations.
Finally, the Mesonet’s QA meteorologists employ numerous manual techniques to complement automated QA including analysis of monthly statistics to detect sensor drift or bias (click on a month and year to the left to download a PDF version of a Monthly Report). In addition to detecting problematic sensors, the QA meteorologists trace the true start time of each problem so that appropriate data can be manually flagged as erroneous. The QA meteorologists are responsible for communicating problems to, and coordinating with, appropriate field technicians to ensure proper resolution (see a list of the current outstanding tickets below).
Current Trouble Tickets in the Oklahoma Mesonet
(For questions regarding these tickets, contact )
Station | Variable | Date Reported | Problem Description |
CHIC | 229L Delta Temperature at 10cm under Bare Soils | 2022-08-08 18:47:12 | Starting and final temperature frequently report -7999 or otherwise errant value. Both soil moisture and temperature affected. Replace sensor. |
MRSH | 229L Delta Temperature at 10cm under Bare Soils | 2022-08-08 17:49:10 | Starting and final temperature the same, indicating a failed heater. Soil temp is unaffected. Replace sensor. |
ERIC | 229L Delta Temperature at 10cm under Sod | 2022-07-31 19:19:37 | 10cm sod sensor reports -7999 for starting, final, and average soil temperature. |
RING | 229L Delta Temperature at 10cm under Bare Soils | 2022-07-30 18:57:38 | 10cm bare soil sensor reports -7999 for starting, final, and average soil temperature. |
FREE | Rain since midnight UTC at 0.6m | 2022-07-29 17:01:08 | Primary gauge reports significantly less than secondary and sometimes misses light events entirely. Please check gauge for clog or other issue. If no discernable problem, replace gauge. |
SALL | Rain since midnight UTC at 0.6m | 2022-07-29 13:30:30 | Primary gauge misses rain tips at start of precipitation. Please replace RG cable. |
HOLL | 229L Delta Temperature at 5 cm | 2022-07-26 21:06:26 | Starting and final temperature report -7999. Both soil moisture and temperature affected. Please replace sensor. |
CHER | 229L Delta Temperature at 10cm under Sod | 2022-06-29 21:06:26 | Showing symptoms of a failing heater. Gap between starting and final temperature very erratic, resulting in errant soil moisture values. Sensor was replaced last July for an apparently different issue. Soil temperature fine. Please replace unless other problem found. |
EVAX | Air Temperature at 9 m | 2022-06-09 14:18:26 | 9m air temperature sometimes has low bias for extended period following high humidity/precipitation. |
HOOK | Rain since midnight UTC at 0.6m | 2022-04-28 17:15:38 | Primary rain gauge returned two consecutive post-cleaning -3 drip test results. Please replace primary gauge. |