By Geitner Simmons | IANR Media
The Nebraska Mesonet, a critical tool for weather monitoring and data collection across the state, has launched a redesigned, user-friendly website offering real-time weather data. The upgrade comes as the mesonet is growing its network of weather monitoring stations across Nebraska to offer more accurate data.
Through the new website, the mesonet delivers “data on demand,” updating every minute to provide current conditions. Previously, data could lag by an hour or more.
“Especially for severe weather or agriculture, knowing what’s happening right now is vital,” said Ruben Behnke, Nebraska Mesonet manager. “Whether it’s monitoring storms or gauging heat stress for cattle, conditions from 20 minutes ago simply aren’t as useful.”
The Nebraska Mesonet is a statewide network of 74 automated weather monitoring stations designed to provide high-quality environmental and meteorological data in real time. Operated by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the mesonet collects information on temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, precipitation, and soil moisture and temperature, among other data points.
These data are vital for agricultural management, weather forecasting, emergency planning, and research on climate and environmental changes and are used by a wide array of agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Weather Service, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and Nebraska natural resources districts.
Read the full article at https://news.unl.edu/article/nebraska-mesonet-launches-improved-real-time-weather-data
IANR Vice Chancellor Mike Boehm also discussed the new mesonet website on a recent KRVN interview. Listen at https://mediahub.unl.edu/media/23762