03-28-2016 Council Work Session Packet

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W. EN N E P I N WE 13T M E S 0 N E T Ax Fact Sheet Description: The HennepinWest Mesonet is a network of remote sensors which provide highly - accurate, near real-time measurements of weather, soil and water conditions. This data is immediately sent to a central database where software automatically develop graphic products to show what is happening across Hennepin County and surrounding areas for emergency leaders to use in critical situations. Information is also archived for future analysis. Purpose of the mesonet network: The HennepinWest Mesonet is a life -safety tool designed to gather and synthesize vital data on weather, soils and water to help emergency leaders make critical public warning and tactical decisions. Recent experiences across the Twin Cities metro area reveal a long-standing vulnerability to dangerous weather or human -caused conditions that form very quickly without clear advance indications. Fatal tornadoes in Rogers, MN (2006) and in North Minneapolis, MN (2011) both point to a need for more complete and rapid surface observations from a network of sensors spread across the area. A fatal landslide in Saint Paul, MN (2013) also shows that near real time soil temperature and saturation data across the metro could be useful in providing alerts for evolving dangerous conditions. Other vulnerabilities exist in our area to rapid -onset flash flooding, straight-line winds or hazardous materials releases which require many sensors with quick detection capability to provide useful pubic warning or evacuation decision-making. Purpose of individual stations: One of the most important features of the HennepinWest Mesonet is having sensor stations located across a wide area in order to be able to see threats develop in real time to trigger key warning decisions earlier. A station located at an airport 25 miles away is poorly located to provide useful warning indications across a whole region. Also, if these stations do not report data that is in real-time, their use for warning is negligible. Each Mesonet station represents the small area where it is located and helps protect the residents and infrastructure located there by providing high-quality immediate data. Description of individual stations: Stations are located on a small patch of ground about 40 feet square of natural grass, which is surrounded by an area free from any wind obstructions out to about 90 feet from the center. A 30 foot aluminum structure holds most of the sensors that detect wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. Rain gauges and soil sensors are placed on or in the ground nearby. Stations use solar energy and require no external power. Data is sent via cellular phone or radio to the network data base. Depending on circumstances, a small perimeter fence may be installed to protect the equipment at the station.