Oklahoma Mesonet

Oklahoma Mesonet
Name	Oklahoma Mesonet
Caption	Oklahoma Mesonet station and shelter
Established	1991
Location	Oklahoma
Operator	Oklahoma Mesonet (Oklahoma Climatological Survey) and Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma Mesonet

The Oklahoma Mesonet is a statewide environmental monitoring network in Oklahoma, operated by the Oklahoma Climatological Survey in partnership with Oklahoma State University. It provides high-resolution meteorological and agronomic observations used by agencies such as the National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and United States Department of Agriculture for situational awareness during events like Tornado Alley outbreaks and 2013 Moore tornado. The Mesonet supports academic research at institutions including University of Oklahoma, University of Tulsa, and Langston University while informing policy decisions by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and local county governments.

Overview

The Mesonet consists of a distributed array of automated stations producing standardized observations of temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, precipitation, and soil conditions for the state of Oklahoma. Data feeds integrate with operational centers such as the Storm Prediction Center, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, and state-level emergency operations centers to improve warnings for events like derechos and flash flooding. Mesonet outputs are used by broadcasters including The Weather Channel and by agricultural stakeholders such as the O.S.U. Cooperative Extension Service and commodity groups like the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The network underpins studies published in journals from publishers like American Meteorological Society and Elsevier.

History and Development

Conceived in the late 1980s through collaboration among Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and state agencies, the system was established to provide intensive observations across a state prone to severe convective storms and agricultural stresses. Early funding and support involved entities such as the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Key milestones include expansion of station density in the 1990s, integration with the Enhanced Fujita scale research following major tornado events, and adoption of new sensor suites after lessons from disasters like Hurricane Katrina influenced resilience planning. Collaborations with federal partners such as the United States Geological Survey and research consortia including the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms have shaped Mesonet evolution.

Network and Instrumentation

Stations are sited to national standards and produce calibrated observations using instrumentation from manufacturers employed by operational systems, interoperable with networks like the Met Office networks and the Automated Surface Observing System. Each site typically includes an anemometer, wind vane, aspirated thermometer, tipping-bucket rain gauge, barometer, and soil probes. The network supports redundancy and remote telemetry compatible with protocols used by NOAA Weather Radio and integrates with geospatial platforms such as Geographic Information Systems used by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Data quality control applies methodologies comparable to those from the Global Climate Observing System and is validated through intercomparisons with research-grade sites at facilities like the National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Data Products and Applications

Mesonet disseminates real-time and archived datasets, including surface maps, station time series, soil moisture grids, and evapotranspiration estimates used by planners in agencies like the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and researchers at centers such as the Kessler Atmospheric and Ecological Field Station. Applications extend to severe-weather forecasting by the National Weather Service Norman Forecast Office, agricultural decision support for entities like Monsanto-era growers and modern precision agriculture firms, wildfire risk assessment for the Oklahoma Forestry Services, and roadway management by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Custom products support academic programs in departments at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, and are incorporated into regional climate assessments by organizations like the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program.

Research and Educational Outreach

The Mesonet underpins peer-reviewed research on convective initiation, urban heat island effects in cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and drought monitoring tied to studies by the U.S. Drought Monitor. It supports student training through internships and coursework at institutions including Cameron University and Northeastern State University, outreach collaborations with museums like the Science Museum Oklahoma, and teacher professional development aligned with standards from the National Science Teachers Association. Public-facing tools and workshops engage stakeholders such as the Oklahoma Hospital Association and volunteer organizations like the American Red Cross for preparedness.

Operations and Funding

Operational management is provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet staff within the Oklahoma Climatological Survey at Oklahoma State University, with governance involving advisory input from state entities including the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and county emergency managers. Funding sources have included state appropriations, competitive grants from the National Science Foundation, contracts with federal agencies such as NOAA, and partnerships with private sector firms. Maintenance and upgrades follow procurement standards consistent with state purchasing overseen by the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and interagency agreements support data sharing with federal repositories like the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Category:Meteorological networks Category:Oklahoma State University