More than two years after road access and electrical power to the Mauna Loa Observatory was cut off by lava flows, NOAA staff continue to make critical measurements of the atmosphere and other environmental variables at the remote site.
In 2023, observatory staff installed solar panels at the site and resumed some measurements, including the independent carbon dioxide monitoring programs run by the Global Monitoring Laboratory and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as well as other atmospheric measurements.
Construction of a temporary road to access the observatory site is anticipated to begin in summer 2025.
Media can contact: Theo Stein (303) 819-7409 (theo.stein@noaa.gov)
Organization(s):
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL)
What does this program measure?
It measures temperature in Fahrenheit, wind direction in degrees, wind speed in mph, humidity in %, rain in
inches, solar radiation in W m-2, and UV index.
How does this program work?
A Davis Advantage pro plus weather station measures continuously at MLO, and data is made available at the MLO
web site to the public (via internet). Click here to view today's Web
Meteorology page.
Why is this research important?
This system was set up for aiding staff and visitors on the conditions at the observatory site prior to
arriving at the station by using a web browser.
Are there any trends in the data?
Not Applicable.
How does this program fit into the big picture?
What is it's role in global climate change?
Not applicable.
Comments and References
Lead Investigator(s):
Darryl Kuniyuki
808-933-6965
MLO Contact(s):
Matthew Martinsen
808-933-6965(x228)
Darryl Kuniyuki
808-933-6965 (x229)
Web Site(s)
Date Started
2003
Related Programs
Photographs:
