Weather Stations Installed at Public K-12 Schools Around the State
University of Missouri-Extension climatologist and agricultural economics IT expert have installed weather stations and wireless communication at three rural K-12 schools in Missouri.
These weather stations contribute both to the intellectual merit and broader impacts of the Missouri Transect by spanning climate research, cyberinfrastructure development, and education. Installing the stations at K-12 schools provide opportunities for students, teachers, administrators, and the public to participate in data collection and interact directly with scientists. The National Weather Service Forecast office gave input on the locations based on gaps in their own climate data collected in rural areas of northern, eastern, and western Missouri.
Modern farming practices in Missouri depend heavily on environmental conditions. Accurate data on weather and soil conditions will improve agricultural production and the commercial success of small-business farmers.
The three weather stations are part of the Missouri Mesonet, a network of 33 weather stations, 7 of which are located at K-12 schools. The hourly and daily weather data measured at the stations are reported to an online database and mobile app, both of which are accessible to the public.
Missouri Transect-funded weather stations in the Mesonet network
- Ninth Grade Center in Moscow Mills, Lincoln County
- Putnam County R-I School in Unionville, MO
- Butler R-5 School District in Butler, Bates County
The sensors installed at the stations collect aboveground data, such as wind speed and direction, solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and rainfall. Soil sensors have also been installed below-ground.
Weather Station in the News
New weather station at Unionville fills data gap for farmers, students
New weather station at Lincoln County school