Weather & Climate

Automated Weather Stations (AWS) & Meteorologic Instruments

Case Study » Oklahoma Mesonet: Meteorological Network

Project Summary

Application Type:
A state-wide environmental monitoring network consisting of over 100 automated weather stations that continuously measure an array of weather and soil parameters.

Location:
Oklahoma, USA

Contributors:
Dr. Ken Crawford, director, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Norman, OK

Contracting Agencies:
Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Climatological Survey

Measured Parameters:
Air and soil temperature, RH, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, solar radiation, rainfall, soil moisture

The Oklahoma Mesonet consists of 114 automated weather stations located throughout the state. The Mesonet stations are polled every 15 minutes and data is relayed to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey in Norman. There, the data is checked and distributed by bulletin boards, print and electronic media, and interactive public displays. All of this occurs moments after the measurements are taken. Another 42 stations make up the Agricultural Research Service's Micronet over the Little Washita watershed.