When the weather turns, both farmers and first responders need accurate, ground-level information.
But in many rural parts of Ohio — particularly in the northwest, northeast and southeast — radar and satellite tools often miss what matters most: wind gusts at field level, soil moisture in the root zone or storms forming just above the treetops. These areas also suffer from weaker radar coverage, which can delay critical decisions and weaken early warnings for flash floods and severe storms.
A new statewide network led by the State Climate Office of Ohio and CFAES is working to close that gap. The Ohio Mesonet network is a growing system of research-grade weather stations that provide real-time, hyperlocal data to support agriculture, emergency response and climate monitoring.
“Weather remains the single most influential factor in crop yield, yet parts of Ohio still lack adequate weather monitoring,” said Aaron Wilson, Extension field specialist, ag weather and climate, and leader of the Ohio Mesonet network. “That lack of information introduces risk — and in farming, risk is everything.”
Each station in the Ohio Mesonet records detailed environmental conditions, including air and soil temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, solar radiation, and soil moisture. Specialized sensors also measure factors like leaf wetness and temperature inversions — data farmers can use to better manage spray applications, disease risk and water use.
For growers, this kind of field-level insight can directly improve timing, reduce input waste, support higher yields and guide seasonal planning decisions that affect profitability. Timely, localized data can also help farmers avoid costly missteps and better manage day-to-day risk.
OSU Extension plays a key role in ensuring that this information reaches farmers and local decision-makers throughout the state.
The network began with a donation from weatherUSA, matched by CFAES, and has since attracted support from the Ohio Soybean Council, Nationwide Insurance and Ohio Farm Bureau. The initial 10 stations are now being deployed, with plans to eventually cover all 88 Ohio counties.
As Wilson notes, the value of the Ohio Mesonet extends well beyond farming and multiplies as the network expands.
“These observations could lead to more accurate and earlier warnings for severe weather events — saving property, income and potentially lives.”