Humboldt State University's Department of Geography has installed a full-scale weather station atop Van Matre Hall to spur engaged learning in physical geography.
The Van Matre station provides both current and long-term weather information, serving the North Coast public as well as students, faculty and staff, according to HSU spokesman Paul Mann.
Mann said the installation is the brainchild of geography professor Rosemary Sherriff, a specialist in biogeography who teaches physical geography courses. Sherriff worked with the National Weather Service Forecasting Office -- NOAA on Woodley Island -- to network the HSU station with the Citizen's Weather Observer Program. The link enables NOAA to provide supplemental information for forecasting regional weather patterns.
"We'll begin using the data in three of our physical geography courses this fall term," Sherriff said. "The station can now be accessed online and I look forward to students and faculty all across campus using this new resource. Anyone else who is interested can obtain the data online as well."