Appendix B Applications/Uses Of Weather And Climate Data
This is a list of some of the applications/uses of weather and climate data based on approximately 35,000 to 40,000 requests for information received at the Oregon State Climate Office from 1982 to 1989, and additional requests received at the Western Regional Climate Center from 1989 to 1996. Details may vary for other geographic regions.
Agriculture/Life Sciences
Plant diseases
cereals/corn/berries/grasses/
ornamentals/nuts/mints/melons/
fruits/vegetables/hay/alfalfa/
tubers/mushrooms/spices/
Plant growth
planting times
germination
dormancy requirements
frost probabilities
lodging
harvest conditions
Product quality
seed spoilage
transport conditions
storage conditions
Product marketing
Chemical tests
pesticides
growth retardants
growth enhancers
Seed certification
Relocations
introducing new crops
climate changes/fluctuations
Erosion
water
wind
Viticulture
Seed companies
Soil climatologists
Soil chemistry
Degree days - growing/chilling
Water Issues
water consumption
water stress
Drought
frequency
assessment
designation
Groundwater recharge rate
Groundwater use rate
Groundwater contamination
Irrigation needs
Soil-water balance
Evapotranspiration
Evaporation climatologists
Runoff and nonpoint pollution
Insects
moths/worms/beetles/flies/ants/mites/
maggots/grasshoppers/crickets/caterpillars/
chilling hours/dormancy egg-laying
migration
host plant environment
Pollination conditions
Metabolism rates (=temperature)
Pesticide effectiveness
Introduction of new pests
helpful (deliberate)
harmful (accidental)
Wildlife
severe winters/summers
habitat conditions
migration
transplantation
breeding success
birthing/calving success
endangered species conditions
refuge management
Fish
lethal/injurious water temperatures
in streams and rivers
behind impoundments
ice effects
weather-induced sediment loading
passage time - anadromous species
flow volume and timing
ocean conditions
hatchery conditions
disease outbreaks
condition of redds/eggs
Grazing and forage conditions
Caged and penned animals
permanent (domesticated species)
temporary (transplants/relocations)
Bird counts
growth/hatch timing dispersion
Fungus distributions
Landscaping
Christmas trees
Riparian (stream) conditions
Experiment stations-research
general databases
conditions during experiments
Forestry
reforestation
viability of nursery stock
clear-cut/canopied microclimates
Ecosystem management
Parkland grazing conditions
Regeneration rates
Tree-ring growth and density
Fire
ignition and growth potential
triggering events
firefighting conditions
labor force
equipment deployment
mop-up, restoration, reseeding
erosion susceptibility
frequency assessment
insect kills
descriptive indices (e.g., Haines)
lightning climatologists
slash fire planning
Timber sale requirements
Blowdowns
Long-term climate variability
Engineering
Energy
audits
heat loss calculations
utility costs
users
cities/counties/companies/
private citizens
providers
utilities
hydropower supply
rate setting
energy demand
fuel planning
strategic planning
Alternative energy
(climate-sensitive sources)
wind - means and extremes
passive solar
small head hydro
heat pumps
passive cooling
rel. hum, alt. fuel motor
Construction
scheduling
equipment inventories
personnel hiring
outdoor painting
environmental conditions
Product testing
specific conditions needed
specific conditions not needed
fog instruments
corrosion tests
Uniform Building Codes
Hazardous phenomena
tornadoes
lightning
hail
ice storms
tropical storms
Depth of frozen soil
Balloon and helicopter logging
hard likelihood
performance standards
Power line routing
Stress on long atmospheric tethers
Airports
runway orientation
runway length
number of runways needed
Instrumentation
Diesel low-temperature additives
Chip manufacturers
Vinyl glue separation
Electric field studies
Design criteria
roofs
culverts, bridges, etc.
storm sewers
sanitary sewers
aquatic center pools
city and industrial ponds
cooling ponds
settling ponds
sewage treatment
hazardous waste containment
mine tailings
evaporation calculations
Lighting
Freeze/thaw cycle climatologies
Frost effects
Drifting snow (depth/orientation)
Dam design
Boiler capacity
Refrigeration needs
Generators
Greenhouse heating/cooling
Structure orientation
Structure strength
Pollution dispertion
Freeze probabilities
Excessive values of
heat
cold
wind
rain
snowfall
snow depth
humidity
Wave Erosion - causeways
Legal
Accidents
cars
motorcycles/bicycles
airplanes
railroads
hang gliders
falls on ice
Storm damage
claims adjustors
real cause of damage
''act of God'' or expected
crop damage
wind
hail
heavy rain
ocean waves
open seas/beaches
event insurance claims
outdoor gatherings/events
Environmental Impact Statements
Endangered Species Act needs
Biological Opinions
Grazing allotment decisions
Ecosystem Management background
Hazard Rankings
Environmental Assessments
Wetlands determination
Construction overruns
Landslides
Shipment delays/difficulties
Pesticide drift
Crime conditions
murder/assault/violent crimes
decomposition rates
burglaries
traffic tickets
evidence reconstruction
Water
landfill runoff
frozen/broken pipes
subdivision runoff
landlord-tenant disputes
leaky roofs
storage of household goods
industrial painting disruptions
dike/containment breaches
seed spoilage
Highway sanding/plowing conditions
Pollutant transport
Firefighting/rescue conditions
Cement hardening conditions
Health/workman's comp. claims
Economic Development And Other
Manufacturing/business development
design criteria
construction conditions
marketing and sales impacts
inventory deployment
siting of shipping facilities
Relocations from a far
businesses
manufacturing plants
Retirement decisions
Weather - sensitive products
marketing decisions
Agribusiness - development of
new crops
new products
new markets
Outdoor gatherings
festivals
concerts
air shows
auto/air/water/foot races
Motion picture filming conditions
Hiring of labor
seasonal industries
construction
agriculture/migrant laborers
forestry
recreation
News media
magazines
newspapers
radio
tv
trade publications
Historical event conditions
Tourism
vacation planning
recreation climatology
hiking/camping/backpacking/rafting/
bicycling/skiing/windsurfing/fishing/
hunting/mountain climbing/boating
Health
relocation influences
skin problems
asthma/respiratory allergies
trace chemical sensitivity
solar exposure
melanomas
uv effects on vision
cloudiness climatologies
altitudinal variation of radiation
Chambers of Commerce
Report inclusions
National Weather Service
background information
local forecasting studies/tools
Classroom/Educational
Other states/Countries
Local climatologies
Climate trends
yearly/decadal fluctuations
regional climates
el nino/southern oscillation
global climate change
Home energy and gardening needs
Brochures
Interpretive public displays
General advice and interpretation
Source: Course on Weather and Climate Applications for Resource Management. Kelly T. Redmond. Western Regional Climate Center, Reno, Nevada. 1997.
