Quality Assurance

Data from the Grazinglands Research Laboratory micronets are quality assured by the Oklahoma Mesonet. The Oklahoma Mesonet quality-assurance (QA) system consists of four principal components:

1. Laboratory calibration
2. On-site intercomparison
3. Automated QA
4. Manual QA

In the instrument laboratory, all sensors (except the soil moisture sensors) are calibrated to validate or improve upon factory calibrations. To make a first pass through the observations that are received from the micronets each day, automated QA software evaluates the data in real time. 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 from the dropdown menu above to download a PDF version of a Monthly Report).

For another example of manual QA techniques, view the report Summary of Obstructions to Pyranometers.

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