G.17. USDA/NRCS Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN)
- Purpose of network: comprehensive soil-climate network used in natural resource assessments and other conservation activities in the U.S.
- Primary management agency: USDA/NRCS.
- Data website: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/scan/.
- Measured weather/climate elements:
o Air temperature.
o Precipitation.
o Relative humidity.
o Wind speed.
o Wind direction.
o Barometric pressure.
o Solar radiation.
o Snow water content.
o Snow depth.
o Soil moisture and temperature (enhanced sites only).
- Sampling frequency: 1-minute temperature; 1-hour precipitation, snow water content, and snow depth. Less than one minute for relative humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, and soil moisture and temperature (all at enhanced site configurations only).
- Reporting frequency: reporting intervals are user-selectable. Commonly used intervals are every one, two, three, or six hours.
- Estimated station cost: $25000, with maintenance costs approximately $1000/year.
- Network strengths:
o Sites are well-maintained.
o Data are of high quality and are largely complete.
o Very reliable automated system.
- Network weaknesses:
o Short data records.
o Network is still in development.
The SCAN network is intended to be a comprehensive nationwide soil moisture and climate information system to be used in supporting natural resource assessments and other conservation activities. These stations are usually located in the agricultural areas of the U.S. All SCAN sites are automated. The parameters measured at these sites include air temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, pressure, solar radiation, snow depth, and snow water content.
