The Woodward News

Local News

November 17, 2012

Mesonet recognizes partners

Gary Engel Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. —

The Southern Plains USDA Research Station in Woodward is being recognized for its cooperation with the Oklahoma Mesonet.

Mesonet officials said the local site has contributed to the overall program success by providing up-to-date weather information.

Landowners, like the USDA, allow the Mesonet to use their properties to gather information.



CELEBRATING LANDOWNER PARTNERSHIPS

Dr. Chris Fiebrich, associate Mesonet director, said as par of the recognition each site was presented with an anemometer, which measures wind speed, signed by the Mesonet staff.

The Mesonet is celebrating a 20-year relationship with the landowners. Half of  their 120 stations statewide are located on private property, while the rest are at academic, city, state or other federal sites.

"The recognition's 20-year celebration commemorates the anniversary of the Mesonet's public launch in 1994," said Fiebrich.

Fiebrich said the information on the Mesonet sites is updated every 5 minutes, allowing farmers, firefighters, weather forecasters and emergency management personnel to receive real-time climate information.

Jim Bradford, a plant physiologist at the USDA station in Woodward, said having access to Mesonet weather data aids the USDA's plant research.

"We combine that information with what is gathered at our station," he said.

The Mesonet is a joint program conducted by the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.



NO NEW SITES PLANNED

Fiebrich said the Mesonet has reached its goal of having at least one monitoring station in each of Oklahoma's 77 counties.

"We're not planning to add any right now," he said.

If a landowner wants to have a Mesonet station placed on their property, the proposal has to be evaluated by a governing board of the organization to see if the site is valid.

Fiebrich said prospective Mesonet participants need to be aware that a monitoring station is not simply one that may be purchased at an electronics store and fits in a window.

"They are about $20,000," he said. "A 30-foot tower is attached, and there is all kinds of electronic equipment involved to gather data and transmit it to a central computer."



WOODWARD STATION ONLINE SINCE 1992

While the public role of he Mesonet is being celebrated for the 20 years it has existed, Fiebrich said Woodward's station at the USDA facilities actually went online in 1992.

Some of the highlights at the USDA site include:

- Hottest day, Aug. 2, 2012, 112 degrees.

- Coldest, Dec. 24, 2004, minus-3 degrees.

- Most rainfall, Oct. 24, 2000, 9.22 inches.

- Strongest wind gust, May 25, 2012, 74.8 mph.

To access conditions, Fiebrich said to go to www.mesonet.org.

"Then, enter Woodward or the zip code in the space provided," he said. "Or, click on the map."

For more information about the Mesonet, contact Fiebrich at (405) 325-2541.

Text Only
Local News
  • Projects on city agenda

    Renovation and construction projects are the theme for the Woodward City Commission's regular meeting Monday at 7 p.m. in City Hall.

    May 19, 2013

  • Museum hosting history lectures

    If you've lived here long enough then you've surely heard about Woodward's "favorite son" Temple Houston, his famous "Soiled Dove" speech, and his infamous shootout with the Jennings brothers.

    May 19, 2013

  • Season approaching for Farmer’s Market

    The Woodward Farmer's Market will be in a new location when it opens for the 2013 season on May 25.

    May 17, 2013

  • Routine items on agenda

    The Board of Woodward County Commissioners will address a number of routine annual items during their regular meeting at 10 a.m. Monday at the county courthouse.

    May 17, 2013

  • Walleye Rodeo is under way

    CANTON -  The Walleye Rodeo is under way in Canton with a number of events taking place.

    May 17, 2013

  • Police look for stabbing suspect

    Woodward Police are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred early Wednesday morning at a residence in west Woodward.

    May 16, 2013

  • Seatbelts can make a difference

    Just a few seconds.
    That's all it takes to buckle up.
    And wearing your seatbelt can make all the difference when it comes to surviving a traffic accident, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

    May 16, 2013

  • At least 6 confirmed dead in Texas tornadoes

    GRANBURY, Texas (AP) — A rash of tornados whirled through small communities in North Texas overnight, leaving at least six people dead, dozens more injured and hundreds homeless. The violent spring storm threw trailers onto cars, blew windows from houses and scattered bodies far from their homes.

    May 16, 2013

  • Committee preparing bond issue

    The Woodward Public School District's Long Range Planning Committee has a "very busy summer ahead" as it prepares to present a bond proposal to the school board.

    May 15, 2013

  • Busy time for local schools

    End of the school year activities continue at a quick pace in Woodward.

    May 15, 2013