Climatography of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

Abstract

Numerous research and climatological reports have been published about the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) by the Field Research Division of the Air Resources Laboratory, or the various agency names under which this office has operated. Several preliminary reports were prepared in the later 1940's which described the expected climatology of the INEL. The first series of reports using meteorological data acquired on-site was published during the time period from 1958 to 1960. A major addition to that original body of climatological literature was the first edition of the Climatography of the National Reactor Testing Station.'' Each of these reports were written primarily to: (1) provide engineers, health physicists, scientists, and other researchers with a source of meteorological information pertinent to designing, locating, and operating nuclear reactors and support facilities, and (2) provide insight into the atmospheric aspects of health physics. The second edition of the INEL climatography builds significantly on the material found in its predecessor. It is not, however, intended to be a replacement of all preceding climatological documents. It also does not provide guidance describing methods whereby the climatological data are to be utilized. Nevertheless, most of the meteorological and climatological information needed for the purpose ofmore » assessing the location, the design, and the operation of facilities within the setting of the INEL are provided. 32 refs., 66 figs., 52 tabs.« less