Pea Ridge residents no longer have to rely on weather conditions from Bentonville or Rogers but can access local weather thanks to a weather station installed on the roof of the Pea Ridge High School gym.
The weather station, purchased by the school district, and a camera, donated by KNWA TV, were erected Thursday, Jan. 5, under the watchful eye of Mark Laster, teacher.
“We purchased the software, the license, weather instrument panels, rain gauge, temperature, weather station,” Laster said, adding that the weather station was enhanced by the donation of a weather camera donated by Dan Skoff at KNWA TV.
“I had already talked to Weather Bug,” Laster said, explaining that he approached Skoff asking about the camera. A subcontractor, Frank Baer, installed the equipment.
The camera can be controlled by Skoff and Laster and is usually kept facing west during the day as most of the weather approaches from the west.
Laster, who worked in radio and television when he first graduated from college, said he had researched the potentials for this.
“The community can’t see the weather live, but can get updates every five or 10 minutes,” Laster said. “They can go on the computer and it shows an online weather center. We’re not relying on Rogers or Bentonville.”
Prior to the installation of the weather station on the high school, when Pea Ridge was typed into Weather Bug, the closest location choices were Bentonville or Rogers airports. Now, Pea Ridge High School is an option.
“I’m really excited about the possibilities here,” Dr. Roland Smith, interim superintendent, said. “I think the weather station will do three positive things for this community.
“First, it will serve to put Pea Ridge on the weather map with KNWA TV.
“Secondly, it will be an important weather alert station that will be right here that can be utilized whenever there is a weather concern.
“Third, it has important educational considerations. We expect that next year we’ll have some students involved in studying meteorology ... and those that aren’t, it will still provide great educational implications that Mr. Laster and Mr. (Rick) Neal (principal) are exploring right now.”
The software — Weather Achieve — provides lesson plans for every grade from kindergarten through college and includes lessons in many subjects including math, science, English as a second language, geography, technology, literature.
As he excitedly explained the possibilities of Weather Achieve, Laster accessed the web site and showed a bar graph recording light intensity for Tuesday, Jan. 10, in Pea Ridge as the cloud cover had increased.
“It’s very relevant ... Every lesson becomes relevant to Pea Ridge. It’s a great tool for every subject,” Laster said. “It provides a great learning environment.” http:weather.weatherbug.com/weather-safety/ online-weather-center/ onlineweathercenter. aspx?aid=4168