Farmers are always interested in knowing the latest weather data and predictions.  There is a network set up across the region to address weather analysis and compiles weather data.  Known as the Mesont Network, it collects weather data that occurs quickly and at isolated locations.  Nathan Edwards supervises the Mesonet Network in South Dakota.  He talks about the type of weather data that is collected through the various weather stations that make up the network.

Edwards says the soil moisture monitors help determine the severity of a drought across South Dakota.

Edwards says South Dakota currently has 51 stations, but plans to add another 22 weather stations this year, and within the next few years officials hope to have more than 150 stations across the state.  Edwards says farmers can access the collected weather information by clicking on the website.

Edwards says the website gets nearly a million page views each year.  Nebraska also has a mesonet network.  Ruben Behnke was recently named as the Nebraska Mesonet Network Director.

The websites for the Mesonet Network for South Dakota is mesonet.sdstate.edu.  Nebraska’s website is mesonet.unl.edu.