The Nebraska Mesonet: Technical Overview of an Automated State Weather Network

Authors

Martha Shulski, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Stonie Cooper, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Glen Roebke, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Allen L. Dutcher, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

11-2018

Citation

JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TECHNOLOGY 35 (November 2018), pp 2189-2200.

DOI: 10.1175/JTECH-D-17-0181.1

Comments

Copyright 2018 American Meteorological Society. Used by permission.

Abstract

The Nebraska Mesonet was established in 1981 as one of the nation’s first automated state weather networks. ‘‘Automated’’ is defined by the nature of the observations being made and recorded by machine, as opposed to observations made and recorded manually. At the time of inception, the five observing locations were geared toward servicing agricultural production applications. The Nebraska Mesonet has grown to 69 stations (as of 2018) and is now a multipurpose environmental observing network under the Nebraska State Climate Office (NSCO). The network is composed of environmental observation stations, sited using best practices for mesoscale and microscale environment situations. Precise observations are acquired using highquality instrumentation, following manufacturer recommendations for calibrations and maintenance. Calibrations are performed in the NSCO calibration laboratory. Uses for the data include but are not limited to water management, drought monitoring, energy production, health, environmental research, animal management, and crop pest management. This paper provides a technical overview and history of the network, outlining current practices for station siting, maintenance, data quality assurance, and data utility.