Lexington’s “Official” Temp Is Off

Good evening everyone. I am coming to you live from the studio of WKYT in Lexington and was just about to put the daily almanac together when I saw the official Climate report from the NWS in Louisville for Lexington had a high today of 84 degrees. No way did Lexington hit 84 today!

Here is what the climo report says…

TODAY
MAXIMUM 84 241 PM

But here is what the hourly temp taken only 13 minutes later at 2:53pm showed a temp of 79 degrees. So the temp dropped 5 degrees in 13 minutes for no reason? Wrong. Either the temp gauge is giving the wrong information or the person reading it today made a mistake. Either way… Lexington did not hit 84 today.

Even the Kentucky Mesonet site agrees…

Today’s Highs

I would get into the NWS chat room to let them know about the mistake but the Louisville NWS chat is the only NWS room in the country that won’t let me in. Hmmm. Isn’t that funny? I wonder what gives a branch of the government the power to discriminate like that? Interesting.

Have a great evening my friends.

21 Comments

Hunter on July 21, 2009 at 10:37 pm

TG posted a update on his blog on WKYT.Thank you Chris for feeling in for TG.

tommy on July 21, 2009 at 10:38 pm

yea CB that is discrimination, but the government is its own boss there is no one to evaluate them, on the weather side today my high didn’t touch 80 even with a little sun.

MarkLex on July 21, 2009 at 11:27 pm

LOL Chris!!! They banned you! Shame on them! I agree. It didn’t feel like 84 in Lex either.

feederband on July 21, 2009 at 11:31 pm

Chris, as your loyal lawyer blogger, we need to talk. You unquestionably have a case under the National Weatherperson’s Access To Provincial Weather Offices Act. This statute was quietly passed during the summer of 1969, while the attention of the nation was diverted by Apollo 11, Woodstock, Hurricane Camille, and the debut of Astroturf at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. While the statute does not provide for an award of damages, it can result in penalties against the offending provincial weather office, such as being forced to rely on the MaxCrack Doppler radar, and subscribing to Joe Bastardi at Lackyouweather. Serious offenses can even result in the offending office being forced to attend a Jonas Brothers concert.

Call the heavy hitter………

MJ on July 22, 2009 at 12:18 am

I’ll take a look at it tonight. The maximum temperature comes from the minute data which is not released. Though, we do offer 5 minute data on our website. I can’t say for sure if it really dropped 5 degrees in 13 minutes, that does NOT seem likely.

With regards to the chat room comment, tell me why you did not simply call the office on the phone? You have the numbers! But, no, you simply go negative and blame it on the chat. Of course, there are two sides to this story…but I know on this blog, we’ll just hear yours.

MJ on July 22, 2009 at 12:22 am

Here is the 5 minute data plot for LEX.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=asosklex

Looks like it pegged 82 between 2-3 PM and then stayed 82 from just after 3 to just before 5 PM. Interestingly enough, Louisville’s looks the same during that period.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=asosksdf

Chris on July 22, 2009 at 12:27 am

Hi MJ! Good to hear from you and thanks for checking on the LEX temp.

Do you really want to go there with the chat? You know what’s going on with the whole situation. Perhaps your boss should answer emails in regards to this matter. He chooses to ignore me so it’s all out of my hands now. There will be a lot more to come on this in the future!

Char on July 22, 2009 at 12:51 am

Go Chris! Hang in there with them, buddy.
I just got back from Tennessee, and I’m so glad to see you’re still at WKYT, Chris!!! I also hope your buddy, TG, is getting better. But, I still want to see both your mugs on WKYT. Please don’t leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MJ on July 22, 2009 at 12:58 am

Hi Chris…

Given that Frankfort was 82 today, it is possible that Lexington did get up to 84 for a brief minute. The 5-min plot above does show where the temp dropped right around the time of the 3 PM EDT observation. I did talk with the office and they have been pulling data from KLEX this evening to verify the temp. So, I’ll see what they have when I get in. However, be assured that we’re aware of the issue and we are looking into it.

As for the chat, yes, I am very familiar with the issue and know both sides of the story. Using your words, it is out of my hands as well.

MJ on July 22, 2009 at 2:37 am

After reviewing the 5 minute data from KLEX, I believe that the 84 degree high is correct and not suspect. Here is my reasoning:

First, the climate data times are reported in local standard time…not eastern daylight time. So the time referenced for the high was 84 at 2:41 PM EST or 3:41 PM EDT. The 2:53 PM observation that was referenced in the blog was actually the 3:53 PM EDT ob.

A review of the 5 minute data which is available to everyone at this link:

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/lmk/asos/KLEX.csv

shows the 200 PM EST or 300 PM EDT OB at 79. 15 minutes later at 300 PM EDT, the temperature warmed to 82 and stayed 82 until 600 PM EDT. So at some point between 300 PM and 600 PM EDT, the ASOS recorded the 84. It did so at 3:41 PM EDT (or 2:41 local standard time).

Chris on July 22, 2009 at 2:51 am

Thanks MJ! Much appreciated my friend. I guess the next question would be does the ASOS need recalibrated? That 84 seems a bit high considering the mesonet and WKYT high both registering at 81.

Thanks again for your help! I hope all is well with you. I will be shooting you an email soon to see if you are interested in a few things! haha

Take care.

marsha on July 22, 2009 at 3:00 am

Chris let them have it. But they will never admit that they are wrong. But we have you to give us our weather now if we don’t have you and this blog then we are all in trouble…..

MJ on July 22, 2009 at 3:45 am

I suppose its possible that sensor could be off. We thought for a time that KSDF was off, but it turned out to be that they removed a lot of grass around the ASOS and replaced it with concrete…which led to higher temps.

I will pass along the temp concern to the electricians staff and see what they say.

The ASOS at KLEX will be re-located during the airport expansion. I can’t remember exactly where it will be placed, but it will be much further away from the US 60 side than it is now. I have seen the plans for the airport and the ASOS will be quite a bit away from the runways in a largely grassy area.

KP on July 22, 2009 at 10:50 am

Great post. Very funny!

Chris, it was so wonderful to have you back on our TV. I saw your forecasts about fifteen times. I don’t stay up for the 11 o’clock news but I saw most of the other newscasts. Come back soon!

WXman on July 22, 2009 at 11:41 am

Oh yay…so now instead of always being 2 degrees cooler than every other station in central KY, LEX will be 4 degrees cooler perpetually. 🙂

For what it’s worth, my station 20 miles west of LEX hit 84° yesterday mounted 6′ above grass.

USSRkino on March 25, 2011 at 8:10 am

author, good work

Francefilms on March 25, 2011 at 12:03 pm

Winter is over! Hooray!

salekvart on April 20, 2011 at 8:53 am

author, good work

xnedvig on April 20, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Winter is over! Hooray!

CatsFriends on June 19, 2011 at 11:53 am

Where can I read more about this?

IntFashion on June 19, 2011 at 5:31 pm

ok! theme revealed… thanks

Hunter on July 21, 2009 at 10:37 pm
TG posted a update on his blog on WKYT.Thank you Chris for feeling in for TG.
tommy on July 21, 2009 at 10:38 pm
yea CB that is discrimination, but the government is its own boss there is no one to evaluate them, on the weather side today my high didn’t touch 80 even with a little sun.
MarkLex on July 21, 2009 at 11:27 pm
LOL Chris!!! They banned you! Shame on them! I agree. It didn’t feel like 84 in Lex either.
feederband on July 21, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Chris, as your loyal lawyer blogger, we need to talk. You unquestionably have a case under the National Weatherperson’s Access To Provincial Weather Offices Act. This statute was quietly passed during the summer of 1969, while the attention of the nation was diverted by Apollo 11, Woodstock, Hurricane Camille, and the debut of Astroturf at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. While the statute does not provide for an award of damages, it can result in penalties against the offending provincial weather office, such as being forced to rely on the MaxCrack Doppler radar, and subscribing to Joe Bastardi at Lackyouweather. Serious offenses can even result in the offending office being forced to attend a Jonas Brothers concert.
Call the heavy hitter………
MJ on July 22, 2009 at 12:18 am
I’ll take a look at it tonight. The maximum temperature comes from the minute data which is not released. Though, we do offer 5 minute data on our website. I can’t say for sure if it really dropped 5 degrees in 13 minutes, that does NOT seem likely.
With regards to the chat room comment, tell me why you did not simply call the office on the phone? You have the numbers! But, no, you simply go negative and blame it on the chat. Of course, there are two sides to this story…but I know on this blog, we’ll just hear yours.
MJ on July 22, 2009 at 12:22 am
Here is the 5 minute data plot for LEX.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=asosklex
Looks like it pegged 82 between 2-3 PM and then stayed 82 from just after 3 to just before 5 PM. Interestingly enough, Louisville’s looks the same during that period.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=asosksdf
Chris on July 22, 2009 at 12:27 am
Hi MJ! Good to hear from you and thanks for checking on the LEX temp.
Do you really want to go there with the chat? You know what’s going on with the whole situation. Perhaps your boss should answer emails in regards to this matter. He chooses to ignore me so it’s all out of my hands now. There will be a lot more to come on this in the future!
Char on July 22, 2009 at 12:51 am
Go Chris! Hang in there with them, buddy.
I just got back from Tennessee, and I’m so glad to see you’re still at WKYT, Chris!!! I also hope your buddy, TG, is getting better. But, I still want to see both your mugs on WKYT. Please don’t leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MJ on July 22, 2009 at 12:58 am
Hi Chris…
Given that Frankfort was 82 today, it is possible that Lexington did get up to 84 for a brief minute. The 5-min plot above does show where the temp dropped right around the time of the 3 PM EDT observation. I did talk with the office and they have been pulling data from KLEX this evening to verify the temp. So, I’ll see what they have when I get in. However, be assured that we’re aware of the issue and we are looking into it.
As for the chat, yes, I am very familiar with the issue and know both sides of the story. Using your words, it is out of my hands as well.
MJ on July 22, 2009 at 2:37 am
After reviewing the 5 minute data from KLEX, I believe that the 84 degree high is correct and not suspect. Here is my reasoning:
First, the climate data times are reported in local standard time…not eastern daylight time. So the time referenced for the high was 84 at 2:41 PM EST or 3:41 PM EDT. The 2:53 PM observation that was referenced in the blog was actually the 3:53 PM EDT ob.
A review of the 5 minute data which is available to everyone at this link:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/lmk/asos/KLEX.csv
shows the 200 PM EST or 300 PM EDT OB at 79. 15 minutes later at 300 PM EDT, the temperature warmed to 82 and stayed 82 until 600 PM EDT. So at some point between 300 PM and 600 PM EDT, the ASOS recorded the 84. It did so at 3:41 PM EDT (or 2:41 local standard time).
Chris on July 22, 2009 at 2:51 am
Thanks MJ! Much appreciated my friend. I guess the next question would be does the ASOS need recalibrated? That 84 seems a bit high considering the mesonet and WKYT high both registering at 81.
Thanks again for your help! I hope all is well with you. I will be shooting you an email soon to see if you are interested in a few things! haha
Take care.
marsha on July 22, 2009 at 3:00 am
Chris let them have it. But they will never admit that they are wrong. But we have you to give us our weather now if we don’t have you and this blog then we are all in trouble…..
MJ on July 22, 2009 at 3:45 am
I suppose its possible that sensor could be off. We thought for a time that KSDF was off, but it turned out to be that they removed a lot of grass around the ASOS and replaced it with concrete…which led to higher temps.
I will pass along the temp concern to the electricians staff and see what they say.
The ASOS at KLEX will be re-located during the airport expansion. I can’t remember exactly where it will be placed, but it will be much further away from the US 60 side than it is now. I have seen the plans for the airport and the ASOS will be quite a bit away from the runways in a largely grassy area.
KP on July 22, 2009 at 10:50 am
Great post. Very funny!
Chris, it was so wonderful to have you back on our TV. I saw your forecasts about fifteen times. I don’t stay up for the 11 o’clock news but I saw most of the other newscasts. Come back soon!
WXman on July 22, 2009 at 11:41 am
Oh yay…so now instead of always being 2 degrees cooler than every other station in central KY, LEX will be 4 degrees cooler perpetually. 🙂
For what it’s worth, my station 20 miles west of LEX hit 84° yesterday mounted 6′ above grass.
USSRkino on March 25, 2011 at 8:10 am
author, good work
Francefilms on March 25, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Winter is over! Hooray!
salekvart on April 20, 2011 at 8:53 am
author, good work
xnedvig on April 20, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Winter is over! Hooray!
CatsFriends on June 19, 2011 at 11:53 am
Where can I read more about this?
IntFashion on June 19, 2011 at 5:31 pm
ok! theme revealed… thanks

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