NDAWN Inversion

Name: NDAWN Inversion
Author: North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:Industry Professionals

Free

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App Summary

The NDAWN Inversion app provides real-time alerts to agricultural professionals when atmospheric conditions are unsuitable for pesticide application. The associated research explains that these inversions create a stable atmospheric layer, trapping pesticide droplets in a concentrated cloud that can drift and damage non-target areas. By providing automated notifications based on weather network data, the tool helps applicators adhere to label instructions and minimize the risk of spray drift.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN), this system provides real-time detection of low-level air temperature inversions. The interface leverages data from NDAWN stations, updated every five minutes, to identify atmospheric stability conditions conducive to spray drift. Upon selecting a monitoring station, the system automatically transmits push notifications to the user when an inversion is detected. These alerts are reissued periodically until conditions are no longer present, facilitating informed decisions regarding pesticide application timing.

Evidence & Research Context

The app's design is informed by established atmospheric science principles detailed in associated research (AE1705).
Research describes an air temperature inversion as a stable atmospheric layer where ground-level air is cooler than the air above, which suppresses vertical mixing.
This atmospheric stability is noted to trap fine pesticide droplets, creating a concentrated cloud that can drift laterally and damage non-target areas.
The authors emphasize that inversions typically form under clear skies and low wind conditions, making direct atmospheric monitoring critical for pesticide applicators.

Intended Use & Scope

This tool is intended for agricultural producers and pesticide applicators as a decision-support system for mitigating spray drift. Its primary utility is to provide real-time alerts for atmospheric inversion conditions. The system does not replace direct, on-site weather observation or adherence to all pesticide label instructions, which remain the applicator's responsibility.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Non-Evaluative Reference

Air Temperature Inversions Causes, Characteristics and Potential Effects on Pesticide Spray Drift (AE1705 Revised October 2019)

Thostenson et al. (2019) · North Dakota State University Extension

Referenced in academic literature; no direct evaluation of the app

This publication explains the phenomenon of air temperature inversions and their critical role in pesticide spray drift. An air temperature inversion occurs when the air near the ground is cooler than the air above it, creating a stable atmospheric layer that suppresses vertical mixing. This stability prevents fine pesticide droplets and vapors from dispersing, instead trapping them in a concentrated cloud that can move laterally with light winds, potentially damaging non-target areas. The guide details the formation of inversions, noting that they typically begin developing in the late afternoon as solar heating decreases and the earth's surface cools via terrestrial radiation, often persisting through the night until after sunrise. Key factors influencing inversion formation include clear skies, low wind speeds, and surface characteristics like crop canopy and soil moisture. The publication provides practical advice for pesticide applicators, emphasizing the importance of monitoring weather conditions, measuring air temperatures at two heights to detect inversions, and adhering to regulations that prohibit spraying during these stable atmospheric conditions.