Minnesota Weather And Solar Insolation Data From 1986

This dataset contains daily weather and solar insolation measurements for northern Minnesota from 1986. Weather data was collected by the National Weather Service in International Falls, while solar insolation was measured at Fall Lake Dam using a calibrated Yellow Springs solar cell by a University of Minnesota professor. It represents a specific climatological snapshot of the Superior National Forest region.

Use Cases

• Analyzing daily temperature variations in northern Minnesota for 1986.
• Correlating measured solar insolation with broader regional weather patterns.
• Studying historical precipitation and water vapor indicators for a specific year.
• Validating climate models using ground-truthed solar radiation measurements from a calibrated sensor.
• Investigating the microclimate of the Superior National Forest area using representative station data.

Strengths

• Solar insolation measurements were calibrated against a professional-grade Eppley Pyranometer, ensuring accuracy.
• Data originates from authoritative sources: the National Weather Service and a university soil science department.
• The dataset captures multiple atmospheric variables, including temperature, precipitation, water vapor, and solar radiation.

Limitations

• Core quantitative details like row count, file size, and specific column names are unavailable from all sources.
• Conflicting last-updated dates exist: one source shows 2026-03-12, while another shows 1986-12-31, creating uncertainty about data currency.
• The exact geographic relationship between the weather station in International Falls and the insolation measurement site is only broadly described.

Provenance

Source

National Weather Service and University of Minnesota, Department of Soil Science.

Collection Method

Collected via National Weather Service stations and a dedicated solar cell measurement system.

Time Range

1986

Freshness

2026-03-12 23:07:25.265149

Geography

Northern Minnesota, USA, specifically International Falls and Winton (Fall Lake Dam), representative of the Superior National Forest area.