Weather and Climate Trends of Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. Northeast Temperature Network 2011 Summary Report.

摘要

The Northeast Temperate Networks (NETN) Vital Signs Monitoring Plan (Mitchell et al. 2006) lists weather and climate as one of 23 indicators (or Vital Signs) that the network will monitor to track the ecological health of park natural resources. This report provides a weather and climate summary for the period from 1 January 2011 through 31 December 2011, and places current patterns and trends into historical and regional context. This report satisfies an inherent interest in park-specific reporting of meteorological conditions and trends and meets a portion of NETNs, National Capital Region Networks (NCRN), and Northeast Coastal Barrier Networks (NCBN) weather and climate monitoring objectives. Weather data for the parks were obtained from the NPS climate center located in Fort Collins, CO. Gridded Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) data and Drought Monitor data were obtained from associated internet portals. Zonal analysis of the PRISM data for park specific locations was accomplished using python scripting within ArcGIS. Historical PRISM average calculations and mapping were also accomplished in ArcGIS using custom python code. The weather of Saugus Iron Works NHS in 2011 was slightly warmer than the standard 30-year average (1971-2000) and historical 70-year average (1895-1965). This warming was due mostly to unusually warm maximum temperatures in November and December, and slightly elevated minimum temperatures from September through December. Precipitation for the year was higher than for the standard 30-year average (1971-2000) with above average measurements recorded in summer (July, August, and September) and fall (October, November, and December). Significant storm events that were contributors to this higher precipitation total were Tropical Storm Irene in August and an unusual late October noreaster. Appendices are included that contain additional information for facility management (such as heating degree days; Appendix A), a limited set of winter season indicators based upon a wintercentered reporting period (Appendix B), and long-term monthly averages (Appendix C & D).