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August 28, 2006
Weather Forecasting and Mosquitos
by Anthony Watts
As a result of coverage of the West Nile risks in this blog and stories in the ER, it has occurred to me that I can use my forecasting skills and weather stations I've installed at schools around town and at www.bidwellranchcam.com to create a valuable public health service.
Mosquito activity (and thus biting probability)is quite predicable based on:
Temperature
Wind Speed
Humidity
Recent rainfall
Time of day
Since I have donated web enabled weather stations around some CUSD schools now, I think I shall create an automated system that will gather that data, interpret it, and forecast mosquito activity based on conditions measured at these stations. Hopefully, I can provide an automated forecast "widget" that will be inserted into web pages at schools to help adminstrators judge risk for outdoor activity and possibly even the ER's webpage as a central clearing house for the forecasts.
I believe that having a place where you can judge your risk based on realtime local weather data will be valuable for the public.
Comments on this idea are welcome.
Note from Jack: Anthony that is an absolutely excellent idea for the public and perhaps even Butte County Health Dept. I hope Dr. Lundberg will follow up on your idea.
Posted by Post Scripts at August 28, 2006 07:18 PM
Comments
Sounds like a great idea, Anthony. Please let us know the URL as soon as a site is available. It seems that the only way the people in our area will be able to have good information to protect themselves and their families is through the efforts of public spirited citizens like yourself. The bureaucratic government agencies who are supposed to do this are sure not doing it.
Posted by: Mike Wacker at August 28, 2006 08:09 PM
Anthony, this is brilliant...thank you.
Posted by: Tina at August 28, 2006 08:50 PM