Ask Mr. Answer Person: Where are Decorah's weather readings taken?

Mark e-mails to ask Mr. Answer Person: "Where are the temperatures taken locally for the reports on Decorah's weather? Also, does the Decorah weather reporting station use a Stevenson Screen or another approved mechanism to accurately gather their weather information? We normally have much higher wind speeds at our home than those reported to KWWL for Decorah. Our temperatures are similar most of the time but some noticeable differences occur frequently. The consensus of those concerned was that where you live in Decorah; as far as down in the valley or on top of the hill must be partly accountable for these inconsistencies especially in winds speeds... can you confirm? All agreed that the local weather reporter and historian do a great job of keeping us informed of what's happening now and what patterns the weather has shown us over the past year comparatively."

Mr. Answer Person turned to Todd Shea from the National Weather Service Office in La Crosse for an answer to your question. Here's what he said:

"There are two sources of weather information that we know of in Decorah, besides the occasional storm reports from spotters, law enforcement and fire departments.

1) Decorah Cooperative Weather Station at the Decorah Water Department. Daily measurements, including high/low temperatures, snow depth, precipitation, snowfall, etc., are taken by Dave Pahlas and the other employees at the Decorah Water Department offices on West Water Street, near the Upper Iowa River. That data is sent in once a day (during the evening) in coded form.

2) Decorah Automated Weather Station at the Decorah Airport. An automated weather station is at the Decorah Airport that gives us (and the IDOT, FAA, etc.) a new reading every 20 minutes or so. When you hear hourly temperatures or conditions, it is usually based on this site. It is a ridge location, but just on the south side of the runway going down a hill, with trees around it to the south. It is possible these trees block the wind and the hill location tampers the wind speeds a bit. As you know, the ridge/valley locations can vary weather conditions drastically."