Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Weather Data
Southwest Watershed Research Center
Tim Keefer, Hydrologist USDA-ARS
Below is a summary of the status of the meteorological, soil hydrology and precipitation data from
the various SWRC sites at the ARR. The data can best be thought of as meteorological and soil
hydrology data at the previous and current met station locations, and as precipitation and soil
hydrology data at the 3 rain gauges. Not all instruments were in operation for any of the full record.
There are many missing data points due to power, instrument, communication and human failure.
Data are in various stages of availability and processing, but most if not all will be available by
12/2008. Many are available now, through me* (meteorological and soil hydrology) or through the
SWRC Data Access Site (precipitation event). Data were recorded at 15, 20 and 30 minute steps at
different times and for different sensors.
DATA at Previous and Current Meteorological Stations:
1997-current Meteorological data at 20 and 30 minute time steps, available now, including:
Air temperature (C)
Relative Humidity (%)
Wind Speed (m/s)
Wind Direction (deg Azimuth)
Barometric Pressure (mBar adjusted to sealevel)
Solar Radiation (W/m^2)
Photosynthetically Active Radiation incoming (PARin) (micromoles/sm^2)
Net Radiation (W/m^2)
Available by 12/2008:
PAR reflected (micromoles/sm^2)
Precipitation (mm)
1997-current Soil Hydrology data at 20 and 30 minute time steps, current quality status unknown,
available 12/2008, including:
Soil Heat Flux (W/m^2)
Soil Moisture (volumetric water content % cm^3/cm^3) at 5 cm and some deeper depths
Soil temperature (C) at various depths 2, 5, 6, 8 cm and 2, 4, 8 and 20 inches
DATA at Rain Gauge Sites
2006-current precipitation and soil hydrology data available now
2003/2004-2006 data available by 12/2008
4/2003 – Current Raingage 423 located at current met station
Precipitation “event” data, data recorded when 0.01” is detected over a 1 minute or longer
time span.
Soil Moisture and Temperature at 5 cm at 20 minute time step (30 minute since 12/2007)
5/2004 – current Raingage 421 located at East Mesa and Raingage 422 located at Post Canyon
Precipitation “event” data, data recorded when 0.01” is detected over a 1 minute or longer
time span.
Soil Moisture and Temperature at 5 cm at 15(2004-2006), 20(2006-2007) or 30 (since
12/2007) minute time step
*Tim Keefer, Hydrologist
USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Southwest Watershed Research Center
2000 East Allen Road, Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-670-6380 x158, Cellular: 520-940-1769, FAX: 520-670-5550
email: tim.keefer@ars.usda.gov