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Park officials to deploy weather kiosks to prevent heat stroke

Park officials at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas have deployed weather kiosks to help fight against heat stroke and other heat related issues.

March 21, 2016

Park officials at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas have deployed weather kiosks to help fight against heat stroke and other heat related issues. The kiosks are designed to display heat threat information and current weather conditions, according to a report by mySA.

Between 2011 and 2014, there were 100 emergencies related to extreme heat, including two deaths. This is due to temperature differences between the canyon floor and rim, which can vary by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

"People can get in trouble so quickly," said Shannon Blalock, park superintendent. "Some of our situations have involved children and pets. It's sad to see a situation for someone end that way, a day end that way for a park visitor."

Amarillo meteorologist Jose Garcia hopes one day the data on the kiosk will be synced to a mobile app, or that the weather service can use information from the park to issue heat advisories. 

The kiosk is located at the Park information center and is used in conjunction with pamphlets, signs and trailhead thermometers, according to the report.