Wisconet: A Case Study in Meteorological Infrastructure Capacity Development

Abstract

Meteorological observations with high spatial and temporal resolution are necessary for improved forecasts and early warnings of high impact weather. Meteorological observation infrastructure can be expanded in countries with modernized and developing national meteorological and hydrological services. In the United States, mesoscale weather networks (mesonets) are installed in many states to supplement the existing observational infrastructure, support forecasting and early warnings, and serve multisector stakeholders. Wisconsin's Environmental Mesonet (Wisconet) is one of the newest mesonets in the United States, with 78 weather and soil monitoring stations installed across Wisconsin's 72 counties, and is presented as a case study in expanding meteorological observation infrastructure. Discussed are Wisconet's deployment and maintenance strategy, station design, information technology infrastructure, and considerations for staffing and public outreach. The global applicability of a mesonet deployment for developing meteorological infrastructure capacity is also presented.