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Open-File Report 2014-1247

Meteorological Data for Selected Sites along the Colorado River Corridor, Arizona, 2011–13

By Joshua Caster, Timothy Dealy, Timothy Andrews, Helen Fairley, Amy Draut, and Joel Sankey

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (7.3 MB)Abstract

This report presents data from 14 automated weather stations collected as part of an ongoing monitoring program within the Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon Recreation Area along the Colorado River Corridor in Arizona. Weather data presented in this document include precipitation, wind speed, maximum wind gusts, wind direction, barometric pressure, relative humidity, and air temperature collected by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center at 4-minute intervals between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013, using automated weather stations consisting of a data logger and a weather transmitter equipped with a piezoelectric sensor, ultrasonic transducers, and capacitive thermal and pressure sensors. Data collection was discontinuous because of station additions, station removals, changes in permits, and equipment failure. A large volume of data was collected for each station. These data are part of a larger research effort focused on physical processes affecting landscapes and archaeological-site stability in the Colorado River Corridor—both natural processes (including meteorological events) and those related to the Glen Canyon Dam operations. Meteorological conditions during the study interval were warmer and drier than is typical, due to ongoing drought conditions during the time period studied. The El Niño/Southern Oscillation was primarily in a neutral state during the reporting period.

First posted December 29, 2014

For additional information, contact:
SBSC staff, Southwest Biological Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
2255 N. Gemini Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Caster, J., Dealy, T., Andrews, T, Fairley, H., Draut, A., and Sankey, J., 2014, Meteorological data for selected sites along the Colorado River Corridor, Arizona, 2011–13: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014-1247, 56 p., https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141247.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)



Contents

Abstract

Introduction and Purpose

Monitoring Locations and Period of Observation

Materials and Methods

Meteorological Parameters

Quality Control

Results

Discussion and Meteorological Context

References Cited

Appendixes


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