Alternative Data

This page gives some alternative data and forecast sources for precipitation, temperature, dewpoint temperature, solar radiation, and wind data to replace data from Argonne National Laboratory for use in the USGS - Du Page County Salt Creek Flood-Simulation System when Argonne data are unavailable, and to supplement the standard forecast methodology used in that simulation system. There are two versions of this page: one version organized by data or forecast source and one organized by the weather parameter being sought. This page is organized by data source. The delivery of weather data and forecasts by government and private entities is continually evolving; therefore, please contact the Maintainer of this page if links appear to be incorrect or if other sources should be added.

Primary Backup (All Parameters):
Title/URL	Description
WARM/ICN - St. Charles - Hourly	Parameters: All Lag Time: 1-2 days Access: email Bob Scott (r-scott5@uiuc.edu)
WARM/ICN - St. Charles - Daily http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/warm/datatype.asp	Parameters: All Lag Time: Up to 1 month Access: Click on 'Monthly Data' (easier to read) or '2002' (more up-to-date)

Secondary Backup (All Parameters except Solar Radiation):
Weather Underground Stations:	Parameters: All parameters except Solar Radiation Lag Time: Less than 1 hour Time Res.: 1 hour Use: Choose date next to "Historical" under "Conditions" bar and click "Go".

Other Sources: Precipitation: NEXRAD
Title/URL	Description
KLOT Radar Images	Lag Time: 5-10 minutes Time Res.: 5 minute to 1 hour
KLOT Digital DPA (under construction)	Lag Time: 5-10 minutes Time Res.: 5 minute to 1 hour
NCRFC MPE Images http://www.crh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin-ncrfc/uncgi/s3hr	Lag Time: 6-12 hours Time Res.: 1 hour
NCRFC Digital MPE (under construction)	Lag Time: 6-12 hours Time Res.: 1 hour

Other Weather (Temp., Dewpoint/RH, Radiation/Cloud Cover, Wind)
Title/URL	Description
Accuweather 'Past 24 Hours' Stations:	Parameters: Temp., RH, Pressure, Wind, Visibility, Weather type Lag Time: Less than 1 hour Time Res.: 1 hour (higher during storms) Use: After selecting station, click on 'Past 24 hours' from menu on left.
NWS Current Weather Conditions Stations:	Parameters: Temp., Dewpoint, Pressure, Wind Lag Time: Less than 1 hour Time Res: 1 hour Use: Select station on left.
Accuweather 'Past Year' Stations:	Parameters: Min/Max Temp., Precip. Lag Time: Less than 1 day Time Res.: 1 day Use: After selecting station, click on 'Past Year' from menu on left.
MRCC / MICIS http://mcc.sws.uiuc.edu/index.html	Parameters: Hourly: Temp., Dewpoint/RH, Pressure, Wind Daily: Solar radiation, PET Lag Time: 1-2 days Access: through paid subscription account

Title/URL	Description
Accuweather Enter Zip Code:	Parameters: Precip., Temp., Dewpoint/RH, Wind, Cloud cover, Wx Max. Lead Time: 48 hours Time Res.: 1 hour Use: Click on 'Hourly Forecasts' from menu on left Notes: Unlike past weather, Accuweather forecasts are different even for nearby locations
WSFO Chicago Graphical: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/ifps.php?site=lot Text: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/forecasts/rdf.txt	Parameters: Temp. Dewpoint, Wind, Wx, PoP
MOS (Model Output Statistics) Forecasts http://www.nws.noaa.gov/mdl/synop/products.htm	Parameters: Precip., Temp., RH, Wind, Sky cover/vis./ceiling, Severe weather Max. Lead Time: 48-192 hours Time Res.: 3-24 hours Notes: See 'description' links for descriptions. Some products are experimental. Link for NWP model descriptions: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ftproot/ ssd/nwpmodel/html/nwplinks.htm
NCRFC Flash Flood Guidance http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ncrfc/html_frames/floodindex.html	Definition: Depth of rain over 1, 3, or 6 hours needed to induce flash flooding Choices: Text (point) or Graphical (aerially averaged) estimates In text tables, points of interest may be: WSP2: Salt Creek at Western Springs
Experimental 0-3 Hour Convective Weather Forecast Products http://www.nws.noaa.gov/tdl/scan/scan_svr_03h.htm	Description: Experimental short-term forecasts of convective weather and precipitation depth